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SLT 180 Offer
The 180 Speech and Language Offer is a partnership project between NHS Speech and Language Therapy, Bedfordshire Youth Offending, Greys Education Centre and Bedford Borough Council.
We provide speech and language assessments to pupils who are at greatest risk of fixed term exclusion. We want to reduce the risk of exclusion and managed moves by helping schools to understand the child or young person's needs.
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Our priorities
We aim to:
- Reduce school absence and exclusions by identifying unrecognised or unmet needs around speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and special educational needs and disability (SEND).
- Reduce the risk of young people being exploited or entering the criminal justice system.
We will do this by:
- increasing identification of SLCN in secondary age pupils with high behaviour needs
- ensuring the voice of the young person and their needs is heard
- supporting schools to provide proportionate support and intervention around SLCN to remove barriers to learning
- supporting onward referrals as needed for example ADHD/autism diagnosis, provide evidence for EHCNAF to be initiated
- contributing to multi-agency decision making processes as requested.
The most common reason for pupils being excluded from mainstream education is disruptive behaviour; research shows that many children and young people who are excluded or at risk of exclusion have behavioural difficulties which co-occur with communication needs that are often unidentified and unsupported (Exclusion Review: RCSLT).
Criteria for referral
Mandatory
- Bedford Borough Secondary Pupils (must be on roll but can have disrupted attendance)
- Pupils at the greatest risk of criminality and/or school exclusions and managed moves to alternative provisions
- Proof of prior escalating behaviour inside and/or outside of school
- Evidence of prior fixed term exclusions and/or suspensions
- Parental and pupil consent must be gained for the referral to be made.
Additional evidence of need (not mandatory)
- CP / CIN / LAC / Early help (not exclusive if risk of exclusion is high)
- At risk of CE / CSE / offending behaviour.
What's next?
Following the completion of a referral form the referrer will receive confirmation of the referral being received and a date arranged for the visit / assessment to take place. Please note, parental and pupil consent must be gained for the referral to be made.
The speech and language therapist will undertake a comprehensive SLCN assessment in school using a range of formal and informal assessments in school.
A full assessment report is provided to the family, education setting and wider professionals involved. The report details a summary of need and suggests recommendations and resources to support any identified needs of the pupil.
“Children with language disorders often lack verbal strategies to manage in the classroom and may only take in one or two words of what is said to them. This can lead to failure following instructions which can be perceived as ‘naughty’ behaviour by the class teacher. Similarly, children with language disorder have difficulty following playground rules, and often misinterpret jokes from peers as other children ‘making fun’. The frustration and inability to respond leads to more disruptive behaviour and increased risk for social, emotional and mental health problems in the longer term.”
Professor Courtenay Norbury, Professor of Developmental Language and Communication Disorders at University College London
Need more help?
If you are unsure as to whether a referral is suitable you can request a discussion about a referral or pupil of concern by emailing lisa.mitchell@bedford.gov.uk
Last reviewed: 12 March, 2025
