Elklan

23/01/2026

⏰ Last chance to book - bookings close on Tuesday!
This course starts next week and places are limited.

Children with SEMH needs often have hidden speech, language and communication difficulties. If we miss that link, we risk missing the child.

This practical training course is designed for anyone supporting children and young people aged 7+ in schools and settings who want to feel more confident, skilled and SEMH aware. You’ll leave with practical strategies you can use straight away, plus Language Builders for SEMH - packed with ideas to support children across the school day.

✔ Ideal for teachers, TAs and support staff
✔ Starts Wednesday 28 January 2026, 3:30pm
✔ Runs Jan - Mar 2026
✔ £300 + VAT per person

If you’re supporting children whose behaviour is communicating unmet needs, this course is for you.

🔗 Book now - limited places available
https://www.elklan.co.uk/Apply/learners?b=53e1f088

22/01/2026

As speech, language and communication needs continue to rise, many parents and practitioners are asking why.

In our latest blog, we explore the possible links between technology use and early communication development, considering how interaction, play and attention skills support children’s communication. It offers thoughtful reflection and practical insight for anyone supporting young children.

Read the blog here:

This blog explores the possible links between technology use and the rise in speech, language and communication needs, focusing on the importance of interaction, play and early communication development.

19/01/2026

New HLCP courses starting this September!

We are excited to announce that new cohorts for the Elklan HLCP Programme will be starting this September.

The HLCP Programme supports Teaching Assistants and Early Years Practitioners to develop specialist knowledge and practical skills in speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) - an area that underpins learning, behaviour and wellbeing in every classroom.

💡 Why HLCP matters for schools and settings
• Builds confident staff who can deliver targeted SLCN support
• Strengthens collaboration with Speech and Language Therapists
• Improves consistency and quality of provision across the setting
• Demonstrates a clear commitment to inclusive practice and outcomes

HLCP is a nationally recognised qualification that goes beyond one-off CPD. It helps settings grow internal expertise, reduce pressure on specialist services, and make a measurable difference for children who need support to communicate and learn.

📅 Courses start in September
🎓 Ideal for TAs, EY practitioners and staff supporting children with SLCN

Find out more and secure a place for your setting:

HLCP - Higher Level Communication Practitioner award

19/01/2026

Screen time and under-fives - new guidance on the way!

The government will publish its first official guidance on screen time for children under five this April.

Recent research shows that almost all children under two are using screens daily, and those with the highest screen use are using fewer words and finding it harder to concentrate and hold conversations. For children who learn best through interaction, play and shared attention, this matters.

Importantly, the guidance aims to help parents think about how screens are used, not whether they should be used at all – and to offer practical alternatives to screen time.

As the article highlights, screens are now part of family life. The key question is how we can support children’s communication, language and learning alongside them.

Read the full article here:

Children who spend the most time on devices or in front of screens find conversation and learning harder, the government says.

22/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from all of us at Elklan 🎄
(Some of the team pictured at our Christmas party)

As the year comes to a close, we just want to say thank you for being part of the Elklan community.

Whether you’re supporting children and young people in schools, settings, centres or at home, the work you do to support speech, language and communication truly matters.

We hope you’re able to enjoy a restful break, spend time with the people you love, and head into the new year feeling refreshed.

Thank you for being here with us, and for everything you do.
Wishing you a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year 💛

12/12/2025

Exciting news for Teaching Assistants!

If you want to support speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), there are two new funded Level 5 apprenticeship options now available for both primary and secondary TAs.

These include:

✨ A Speech, Language and Communications Leadership Programme to build deeper knowledge and leadership skills in supporting SLCN, which includes the nationally accredited HLCP award.

✨ A Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, allowing primary and secondary TAs to gain Elklan’s Level 3 in Speech and Language Support for 5-11s or 11-16s.

Find out what’s included and how to apply here:

Instant access to inspirational lesson plans, schemes of work, assessment, interactive activities, resource packs, PowerPoints, teaching ideas at Twinkl!

10/12/2025

Is speech, language and communication a priority for development in your setting or school?

Are you looking for a long-term, sustainable approach that leads to real impact for children with SLCN?

The new Higher Level Communication Practitioner (HLCP) qualification is designed to do exactly that.

Developed by speech and language therapists and specialist teachers, the HLCP role empowers practitioners to bridge the gap between everyday practice and specialist support. It strengthens provision, builds staff confidence, and ensures children and young people receive consistent, high-quality input for their speech, language and communication development.

Want to see what this looks like in action?

Hear from Headteachers, SENCOs and HLCPs about the difference this role is making across early years settings and schools: https://vimeo.com/1128179377/30ab60b572

More information on HLCP here: https://www.elklan.co.uk/HLCP

Hear feedback from Headteachers, SENCO's and HLCPs about the impact the role of the HLCP is having on the Speech, Language and Communication provision in schools/settings

03/12/2025

Are you a Speech and Language Therapist working with schools or Early Years settings?

Have you heard about the new Higher Level Communication Practitioner (HLCP) qualification?

The HLCP Award is already strengthening and supporting Speech and Language Therapy services across the UK. By upskilling TAs and Early Years Practitioners, it creates confident, knowledgeable staff who can help you deliver high quality SLCN support day to day.

The impact? More consistent provision, better collaboration and improved outcomes for children with SLCN.

Hear what Speech and Language therapists are saying as a result of working with HLCPs: https://vimeo.com/1116703625/b72272f161?fl=tl&fe=ec

More information on HLCP here: https://www.elklan.co.uk/HLCP/

This is "How HLCP's are supporting Speech and Language Therapists" by Henrietta McLachlan on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people…

02/12/2025

We are delighted to share this new article from Beth Devereux, Elklan's Professional Education Advisor.

Beth reflects on the increasing speech, language and communication needs we’re seeing across the early years and the growing expertise within the sector to meet them.

She also shares insights from the evaluation of our new Level 4 Higher Level Communication Practitioner (HLCP) qualification and highlights the real-world impact highly skilled practitioners are having for children with SLCN.

If you’re passionate about high quality, inclusive communication support in the early years, this is a must-read.

Read the full article below 👇
https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/features/celebrating-expertise-in-supporting-speech-language-and-communication-in-the-early-years

Beth Devereux, professional advisor for Elkan Training, who helped develop a new award for early years practitioners in response to the increasing speech and language needs rising across the country, shares findings from their evaluation report into the impact of the new Level 4 qualification.

02/12/2025

We’re pleased to share the Higher Level Communication Practitioner (HLCP) Evaluation Report, led by Helen Stringer at Newcastle University - and a huge thank you to Helen for presenting the findings at the RCSLT Conference last week.

The report supports what we’re seeing at Elklan and highlights the difference HLCPs are making in settings and schools for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

HLCPs reported gaining greater skill in:
-Tracking progress
-Delivering interventions
-Sharing knowledge to support other staff
-Making better decisions in assessment and intervention
-Evaluating the effectiveness of their work

This was reinforced by senior staff and SENDCos, who reported HLCPs were able to take on more responsibility and provide a higher level of support.

You can download and read the full report here 👇
https://www.elklan.co.uk/Downloads/download?id=3674

To find out more about HLCP, click here 👇
https://www.elklan.co.uk/HLCP/

HLCP - Higher Level Communication Practitioner award

26/11/2025

We’re proud to deliver Talk Boost Training in collaboration with Speech and Language UK, bringing together our shared commitment to improving outcomes for children with speech, language and communication needs.

Through this partnership, practitioners can join high quality training that guides them step by step in how to deliver the Talk Boost interventions within their own setting. Each programme is practical, interactive and aligned with the national Talk Boost framework, helping settings create real, measurable impact.

Whether you are strengthening existing Talk Boost provision or introducing it for the first time, we offer training to support your setting.

To learn more and to get started, click on the relevant Talk Boost training for your setting 👇

https://elklan.co.uk/Training/Practitioners/?eac=2EE52CFBF76945674813

18/11/2025

We’re delighted to share a brand new case study celebrating the incredible work of Amy Kelly, Early Years Practitioner and one of the first ever Early Years HLCP in the country.

Amy has played a pioneering role in strengthening partnerships with SaLT services, empowering families and transforming support for children with speech, language and communication needs at Little Birch Preschool in Dorset. Her story shows just how powerful the HLCP role can be in early years settings.

And we’re excited to say…
Our first Early Years HLCP cohort begins this January!
If you're passionate about improving communication outcomes for young children and want to take a leading role in your setting, now is the perfect time to find out more.

📖 Read Amy’s inspiring case study
🔗 https://elklan.co.uk/Blog/Case_Study:_New_Higher_Level_Communication_Practitioners_Making_a_Difference_in_Early_Years?eac=60C88A116796E02CC076

✨ Learn more about the Early Years HLCP programme and how you can join the January cohort
🔗 https://elklan.co.uk/HLCP/?eac=60C88A116796E02CC076

Early Years Practitioner Amy Kelly shares how becoming a Higher Level Communication Practitioner (HLCP) helped her strengthen links with local speech and language services, families and schools.