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Courses and training

The Speech and Language Therapy department provides a wide range of short courses

Here are some of our core training courses.

Please contact the Head Office on 01225 711456 for a full and complete list of current courses or to request bespoke training.

Supporting children with communication impairments in the mainstream classroom for teaching assistants

This is a comprehensive training package and enables staff to support children with speech, language and communication needs. It is a 10 session course held over 8 months. Homework and a portfolio of work are required. Information about the course is available from County Hall http://www.wiltscpd.co.uk/events/bookings/default.asp

Specific Interest Groups (SIG’s) for professionals

SIGs are specialist meetings held locally or regionally and aim to enhance specialist knowledge through peer support and use of current evidence based practice. Specific areas of disorders and treatment are discussed and information is shared. Example of SIGs; Early Years, Deafness, Specific Language Impairment and Cleft Palate etc Contact the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists for a list of all UK SIGs.

Makaton Workshops for Parents, Carers and professionals

These workshops are an introduction to the use of signs to support communication. Workshops are run locally by Licensed Makaton Tutors throughout the year. The website www.makaton.org has more information.  

Derbyshire Language Scheme

A three day practical workshop for professionals working with children. The course teaches the ‘Derbyshire Language’ approach to assessing and supporting children with their use and understanding of language.

Narrative Programme for schools

Narrative therapy uses simple stories and small group work to promote language development and foundation social and attention skills in young primary children. A speech and language therapist supports a dedicated named teaching assistant in the Narrative techniques. A weekly group is held in school for 9 months after which Narrative Therapy can be provided in school for children needing a language boost by the trained member of staff.

Early Bird Scheme

This is a three-month programme for parents/carers and key workers of pre-school and primary school children who have a diagnosis of autism. This course supports and empowers adults to facilitate the child’s social communication and appropriate behaviour within the child’s natural environment.   It is a good opportunity for sharing experiences and working together. Please contact 01225 771677 and ask for an Information Pack. Further information can be found on the National Autistic Website, http://www.nas.org.uk/earlybird

Social communication workshops for parents of ASD children

Elkan course for supporting students with ASD

A course for Teaching Assistants supporting children with ASD

Informal talks to mother and baby groups

An opportunity to listen and talk to a Speech and Language Therapist. These talks usually take part as part of a Children's Centre planning.

The role of speech and language therapy in education

Talks to schools and pre schools on the role of speech and language therapy in schools and pre schools.

Assessment matrix training for Health Visitors

Training for Health Visitors on the identification and referral of children with speech, language and communication needs.

Primary Introduction Training for Teaching Assistants

Half day introduction to speech, language and communication needs for Teaching Assistants.

Phonological workshops

Phonological workshops for school teams around a child as requested.

Please apply for further details on 01225 711456

Other Training Providers

I CAN Courses

I CAN is a national charity for children with communication needs. It provides various courses for parents and professionals www.ican.org.uk

Specific Organisations

Specific national organisations run their own courses. Search online for these courses.

Early Talk for pre-schools

The speech and language charity I CAN has recently established a UK online Early Talk programme specifically developed for nurseries and pre school settings. Its aim is to promote communication-supportive environments for all children and to ensure effective pre-school provision for children with communication needs. I CAN Early Talk supports the themes in early years policies throughout the UK by offering a programme of advisory support, information and professional development delivered in partnership with children’s services. There is a online Learning Resource Centre. The Early Talk website can be found at www.ican.org.uk/earlytalk  

Primary Talk for schools

Primary Talk is a staff development and a school transformation package. It is designed to fulfil staff’s professional development requirements to enable them to meet the communication needs of all children.

This package has been set up by the I CAN Charity and offers a programme of advisory support, information and professional development. More information on the Primary Talk website can be found at www.ican.org.uk/primarytalk

Secondary Talk for schools

Secondary Talk is a programme that ensures support for young people in secondary schools with speech, language and communication needs.  This is a support package for staff and offers advisory support, information and professional development opportunities. It has been developed by the leading UK speech and Language Charity ICAN.

More information on the Secondary Talk website can be found at www.ican.org.uk/secondarytalk  

Identify your Training Needs – Online

Are you a teacher, pre school worker or other member of the children’s workforce? Assess your skills against the speech, language and communication framework (SLCF). The SLCF contributes to the Children’s Workforce Strategy and relates to the Integrated Qualifications Framework (IQF) http://www.communicationhelppoint.org.uk/SLCF.aspx

The Speech and Language Therapy Department in Wiltshire Community Health Services provides bespoke training to match this framework.

Wiltshire Pathways.org

Wiltshire Pathways provide information on Multi-disciplinary training courses in Wiltshire.

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