Regency High School has a Communication Team, lead by Selby Nind who has been an SEN Teacher for over 20 years and has worked at Regency High School since 2018.
Selby’s role is to provide a link and support between the Speech and Language Therapists, Class and Parents so everyone can work together on student’s communication.
Regency communication provision
Regency High School Communication Team consists of Selby Nind (teacher) and Lisa Howell who is the TA for Communication.
At Regency High School we provide all students with universal speech and language support strategies these include:
- signing – Signalong sign support system
- the use of the spoken word with emphasis on key words
- object, photo and symbol use to support receptive and expressive language
- visual timetables
- listening and attention prompts
- processing time
- word aware strategies
NHS provision
Many students are also referred to the NHS Speech and Language Therapy Service to identify specific needs, support strategies and communication targets. The NHS Speech and Language provision consists of:
- Assessment of need usually at school
- Report to school, parents and other relevant people
- Targets to school, parents and other relevant people
- Review, it is aimed that this will be annually but can be when targets are achieved or concerns are raised
SaLTs
There are a team of four Speech and Language Therapists (SaLTs) who work with the school’s communication team to support on a part time basis, as they work with us and other schools across Worcestershire to help and advise. The SaLTs work with Regency so we can have additional specialist advice and direct sessions, staff training and support, to be able to provide a service for our students above the Core Service.
Post 18 Speech and Language Support
Students in school that are referred to the Speech and Language Therapy Service are under their care until
- they are discharged as they no longer need input beyond universal strategies
- they are discharged as the strategies in place are ongoing but no longer need a Speech and Language Therapist support
- they turn 18. The Speech and Language Therapy Service is a paediatric service and they therefore do not see anyone past the age of 18. For students from 18-25 with an EHCP attending full time education, they will receive communication support through their school or college.
Dysphagia
Students who have difficulties with swallowing certain foods or liquids may be referred to the Speech and Language Therapy service. The Speech and Language Therapist will complete an assessment to see what difficulties they are having and will provide advice on what food and drink is safe and those that should be avoided as well as details of textures and thickness of foods and drinks. While home can choose to follow the guidance that is provided, school have to follow the guidance exactly and cannot give any food or drink that does not meet the guidance, even if this is provided by home.
Contact
If you have any questions about students communication, you can either contact your child’s class teacher, or Selby on email s.nind@regency.worcs.sch.uk Monday to Friday.
If your son/daughter is referred to Speech and Language Therapy you can contact them on the email or phone number on the last report you received, in school on Mondays or via Selby.