Speech and Language Service

Students with speech and language needs are supported by a statewide multidisciplinary team providing consultancy, support and professional learning to districts and schools.

Overview

Requests for Department support services for students with speech and language needs continues to increase. A coordinated approach to the Department’s range of speech and language services and new initiatives is being developed to plan strategically for the future.

Speech and language services provided through Central Office, Service Areas and the Language Development Centres are central to the support the Department provides to schools to facilitate the education of students with speech and language needs.

Background

In 2006, a Speech and Language Team was established in each of the service areas and based in the metropilitan districts and some country districts. The team consists of:

• Principal Consultant Speech, Language and Learning
• Team Leader, Speech and Language
• Consultant Principal, Speech and Language
• Support Officers, Speech and Language
• Language Development Centre staff

Outcomes

• coordinate intra/interagency policy, resources and services in planning for speech and language
• stimulate the language development of all students by maximising opportunities for speech and language planning in school communities
• provide mechanisms for school communities to support early identification and planning for speech and language needs
• increase teacher and district staff knowledge, skills and confidence to collaboratively plan for the speech and language needs of students
• provide school communities with access to quality service and support in response to identified speech and language needs