Early Speech Therapy Scheme to Be Rolled Out After Successful Jersey Trial

Young children in Jersey’s early education settings will soon benefit from dedicated speech and language support, following the success of a three-year pilot led by the charity Every Child Our Future (ECOF).

The programme, tested across five early years settings, showed marked improvements in children’s communication skills. In one school, the proportion of pupils reaching age-appropriate language levels jumped from less than 50% to 90% after just two academic years.

Education Minister Rob Ward confirmed government funding would now expand the scheme, describing it as a crucial step in giving all children “the support they need to thrive, regardless of their background or starting point.”

ECOF chief executive Cris Lakeman said the results proved that with the right training and support, teachers could meet the majority of children’s language needs through early identification and quality teaching.“Language skills are at the heart of a child’s ability to communicate, regulate their emotions and form relationships,” she said.

Government teaching and learning adviser Julie McAllister welcomed the wider rollout, saying the approach would strengthen opportunities in communication, language and literacy for all young learners.