East Midlands Regional Conference: Developing belonging through speech, language and communication.

Aimed at primary practitioners, this conference focuses on identifying speech, language and communication needs (SCLN) and equipping staff with the confidence to respond through adaptive practice and intervention.  

It will explore how to create a communication-friendly environment so that language is not a barrier to learning so you leave ready to embed this approach across your school.

This conference focuses on developing a whole-school approach to identifying and supporting learners with SCLN. Grounded in an inclusive and graduated model, it will explore how schools can strengthen early identification so that staff at all levels are confident in recognising when communication may be a barrier to learning.

Key themes will include:

• Building staff confidence in identifying need
• Implementing effective adaptive practice and targeted intervention
• Creating a communication-friendly environment that supports all learners.  

The conference will emphasise consistency across the school, ensuring that approaches are embedded within everyday practice rather than reliant on isolated support. This focus is particularly important now, as increasing numbers of learners have unmet or emerging communication needs. Developing a shared understanding across staff teams is essential to removing barriers, improving access to the curriculum and securing better outcomes for all learners.  

Through expert input and practical examples, you’ll gain the knowledge, tools and confidence to strengthen provision in your own setting. You’ll also have time to reflect and plan how to embed a consistent, communication-supportive approach across your school.

This work aligns with the national direction set out in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, with its emphasis on inclusion, early identification and high-quality teaching. Communication and interaction remain a key priority area, reinforcing the value of classrooms where communication supports success rather than blocking it.

By the end of this event, you’ll be able to:

• Develop confidence in identifying learners with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) at an early stage
• Understand how to implement effective adaptive practice and targeted interventions to support identified needs
• Recognise the key features of a communication-friendly environment and how these reduce barriers to learning
• Strengthen a whole-school, consistent approach to supporting communication across all staff roles
• Plan practical next steps to embed a sustainable, inclusive approach within your own setting 

Speaker information and agenda updates will be added as soon as they are confirmed, please keep a lookout!

This is a fully funded event by the Department for Education.

If you have any questions, please contact the Whole School SEND team.