Training - Speech and language therapy

This training is appropriate for all teaching staff working in Primary Schools. However, it may be particularly beneficial for teaching assistants or members of learning support staff who play an active role in supporting children’s speech and language therapy targets.

This training session will allow you to:

• identify whether a child may have difficulty with vocabulary learning and/or word finding,
• explore how we learn and store new vocabulary, and
• learn strategies that can be used to support children in their vocabulary learning — both within the classroom and as part of a targeted intervention.

Dates, venue & how to book:

Teaching staff can secure their place by clicking on the preferred date and completing the booking form.

Wednesday 15 October 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Peace Children's Centre, Peace Prospect, Watford, WD17 3EW

Monday 10 November 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Holwell Primary school, Holwell Road, Welwyn Garden City AL7 3RP

Thursday 20 November 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Thorley Hill Primary School, Park Lane, Bishops Stortford, CM23 3NH

Monday 24 November 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Leverstock Green CofE Primary School, Green Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4SA

Monday 1 December 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Woolenwick School, Bridge Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NU

Please note:

• For this training, any teaching staff from across Hertfordshire can book onto any session, regardless of which delivering special provision locally (DSPL) they work in.
• You only need to secure a spot in one training session.
• Places are limited, and there will be a maximum of 20 attendees for this training

 

This training is suitable for education staff, particularly those working with children who struggle with inference and prediction. It may be particularly suitable for staff responsible for delivering SLT interventions within the school.

This hands-on, face-to-face, small group workshop will allow you to:

• become familiar with the Language for Thinking resource,
• learn the theory behind Language for Thinking,
• understand how to informally assess a child’s level of understanding using the Language for Thinking resource, and
• understand how to use Language for Thinking as part of a small group or one to one intervention with pupils in your school.

Dates/Venues & how to book

Please click on your preferred date and complete the booking form.

Tuesday 7 October 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Leverstock Green CofE Primary school, Green Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4SA

Wednesday 5 November 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Thorley Hill Primary School, Park Lane, Bishops Stortford, CM23 3NH

Tuesday 11 November 2025 9:30 am-10:30 am at Woolenwick School, Bridge Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NU

Thursday 13 November 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Peace Children's Centre, Peace Prospect, Watford, WD17 3EW

Wednesday 3 December 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Holwell Primary school, Holwell Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3RP

Please note:

Places are limited to 20 attendees per session.

 

This training is appropriate for all teaching staff working with children and young people who stammer or who are interested in developing their knowledge in this area.

This training session will allow you to: 

• understand the nature of stammering, why it might occur and factors that may contribute towards a stammer persisting into adulthood. Consider the impact of stammering on a child / young person’s life, 
• learn how to support children who stammer within the classroom and how to help develop their confidence in communicating across the school day,
• understand the types of support offered by the Speech and Language Therapy Team for children and young people who stammer, and
• increase your awareness of useful resources for supporting children and young people who stammer.

This training will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Date & how to book:

Teaching staff can access this training by clicking on the date below and completing the booking form.

Tuesday 4 November 2025 9:30 am-11:00 am. 

Please note:

• For this training, any teaching staff from across Hertfordshire can book onto any session.
• Places on Eventbrite are limited to 50 attendees. 
• A maximum of two members of teaching staff per setting can access this training (but please do contact the team directly if further places are required hct.slttraining@nhs.net).

 

 

This training session will allow you to:

• understand what bilingualism is and how language develops in bilingual children,
• learn strategies that can be used to support communication skills for bilingual children and young people, and
• consider when to access specialist support from the Speech and Language Therapy Service.

Audience

This training is appropriate for all teaching staff working with children and young people.

Date and how to book

Teaching staff can access this training by clicking the date below and completing the booking form.

Thursday 9 October  9:30 am-11:00 am

Please note:

• For this training, any teaching staff from across Hertfordshire can book into the session, regardless of which devlivering special provision locally (DSPL), they work in
• Places are limited and there will be a maximum of 50 attendees for this training
• A maximum of two members of teaching staff per setting are able to access this training
• Please contact the team directly at hct.slttraining@nhs.net if further places are required or if booking has closed, as we may be able to accommodate you.

This hands-on, face-to-face, small-group workshop will allow you to:

• understand the "Blanks Model",
• identify the level of language your students can understand
• develop your students understanding of more complex questions, and
• know how to adapt your own language to better support your students to understand what they are being asked, both within the classroom and during structured activities.

This is a two-part training.

Teaching staff can access this face-to-face training on the following dates/times:

Wednesday 21 May 2025 9:30-10:30am at Peace Children’s Centre, Watford

Thursday 12 June 2025 9:30–10:30am at Wormley Primary School, Broxbourne

Thursday 19 June 2025 9:30–10:30am at Fleetville Jnr School, St Albans

Tuesday 1 July 2025 9:30–10:30am at Holwell Primary School, Welwyn Garden City

Tuesday 22 July 2025 9.30-10.30am - Follow-up session -the link to join will be sent via email at a later date

 

This training is appropriate for all staff working with children and young people with selective mutism or who are interested in developing their knowledge in this area. 

Please note: in order to access this training, it is expected that staff have previously completed our 'Introduction to SM' training session or have accessed free webinars developed by the Kent Community Health NHS Trust.

This training session will allow you to:

• Learn about both informal and formal techniques that can be used to help elicit speech in children and young people (CYP) who have selective mutism.
• Consider types of activities you might use as part of your small-step programme.
• Consider how to monitor progress.

Dates and how to book:

Teaching staff can access this training by clicking on their preferred date and completing the booking process.

Wednesday 10 September 2025, 9:30 am - 11:30am

Please note: 

• For this training, any teaching staff from across Hertfordshire can book onto any session, regardless of which DSPL they work in.
• Places are limited, and there will be a maximum of 50 attendees for this training.
• A maximum of two members of teaching staff per setting are able to access this training (but please do contact the team directly if further places are required hct.slttraining@nhs.net).

This training session is appropriate for all teaching staff working with all school-aged children and young people.

This session will allow you to:

• understand the importance of narrative skills,
• learn how narrative intervention can support children with SLCN,
• understand the different elements involved in producing narratives, and
• learn how to implement narrative interventions and strategies in the classroom.

This training session will be delivered online (via Microsoft Teams) through a mix of written slides and spoken information. There are opportunities to ask questions through the online chat function during the session. You will need an internet connection and an internet enabled device to participate.

Thursday 18 September 2025, 9:30am-11am

Please note:

• Places are limited, and there will be a maximum of 50 attendees for this training
• A maximum of two members of teaching staff per setting are able to attend the training (but please do contact the team directly if further places are required, as we may be able to accommodate you –  hct.slttraining@nhs.net ).

Purpose

This hands-on, face-to-face, small group workshop will allow you to:

• develop an understanding of colourful semantics as an approach to support language development,
• understand the benefits of using colourful semantics and which children this approach is suitable for,
• learn how to use the colourful semantics approach with a range of practical activity ideas and opportunities to practise using the system, and
• consider how to apply the approach within the classroom.

Audience

This training is appropriate for all teaching staff working in primary schools. However, it may be particularly beneficial for teaching assistants or members of learning support staff who play an active role in supporting children’s speech and language therapy targets.

Please note

• Places are limited and there will be a maximum of 20 attendees for this training. 
• A maximum of two members of teaching staff per setting can access this training (but please do contact the team directly if further places are required).

Booking details

Tuesday 20 May 2025 at 9:30-10:30 at Wormley School, Broxbourne

Wednesday 18 June 2025 9:30-10:30 at Holwell School, Welwyn Garden City

Tuesday 24 June 2025 9:30-10:30 at Woolenwick Infant and Nursery School, Stevenage

Tuesday 8 July 2025 9:30-10:30 at Peace Children’s Centre, Watford

 

This hands-on, face-to-face, small group workshop will allow you to:

• be confident in using the Wellcomm screening tool,
• know which children to target for speech, language and communication input,
• be confident in grouping children to support their communication at an appropriate level, and
• know when to seek additional support.

Audience

This training is appropriate for all early years setting staff (including SENCOs, room leaders, teachers, key workers and teaching assistants) working within nurseries, preschools and private, voluntary and independent providers.

Please note:

• Places are limited, and there will be a maximum of 20 attendees for this training
• A maximum of two members of teaching staff per setting can access this training (but please do contact the team directly if further places are required hct.slttraining@nhs.net).

Dates and how to book:

To secure your spot, simply click on your desired date and fill out the booking form.

Summer dates

Friday 23 May 2025, 9:30-10:30 am at Holwell Primary School, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3RP

Monday 9 June 2025, 9:30-10:30 am at Peace Children’s Centre, Peace Prospect, Watford, WD17 3EW

Friday 27 June 2025, 9:30-10:30 am at Leverstock Green CofE Primary school, Green Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4SA

Friday 4 July 2025, 9:30-10:30 am at Woolenwick Infant School, Bride Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NU

Friday 11 July 2025, 9:30-10:30 am at Fleetville Junior School Hub, 228 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW

Friday 18 July 2025, 9:30-10:30 am at  Wormley Primary School, Cozens Lane, Broxbourne, EN10 6QA

Autumn dates:

Friday 19 September 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Thorely Hill Primary School, Park Lane, Bishops Stortford, CM23 3NH

Friday 3 October 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Holwell Primary School, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3RP

Friday 17 October 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Woolenwick Infant School, Bride Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NU

Friday 7 November 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Leverstock Green CofE Primary school, Green Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4SA

Friday 21 November 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Peace Children’s Centre, Peace Prospect, Watford, WD17 3EW

Friday 2 December 2025 9:30-10:30 am at Fleetville Junior School Hub, 228 Hatfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LW

Come and join the speech and language training team to gain further insight into how to support young people with dysphagia and feeding needs.

You will learn:

• What a normal swallow involves and how complex the process is
• To understand eating and drinking difficulties in the children we work with
• To understand what risk factors to look out for and what strategies to use

This training session is appropriate for all staff who work with young people with additional eating and drinking needs within Hertfordshire special schools.

This training session will be delivered virtually through a mix of written slides and spoken information. A link to a Teams meeting will be sent to you the day before the training. The training is a pre-recorded webinar.

Book here: Thursday 19 June 2025 15:00pm

Purpose

This training session will allow you to:

• learn to assess a child’s key-word level of understanding
• use this knowledge to support their understanding in the classroom
• understand how to develop a child’s level of keyword understanding through simple and enjoyable activities
• support children to follow instructions of increasing length and complexity.

Audience

Education staff, particularly those responsible for implementing speech and language therapy intervention for children with language difficulties.

How will this training be delivered?

This training will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Dates and how to book

Book here: Monday 2 June 2025 9:30 am-11:00 am

Please note:

• You only need to book on to one training session
• Places are limited and there will be a maximum of 50 attendees for this training
• A maximum of two members of teaching staff can access this training (but do contact the team directly if further places are required)
• You will not be admitted to the training if you attempt to join 15 minutes past the start time.

 

This training session will allow you to: 

• understand, accept and celebrate neurodivergent communication in Autistic children and children with social communication and interaction differences,
• learn how you can align your whole school with current best practices in neurodivergent-affirming communication support,
• learn new and reflect upon existing strategies to create an Autistic communication-friendly classroom environment, and
• know where you can go for further information / support.

Audience

All school-aged teaching staff – Senco’s, class teachers, LSA’s

How will this training be delivered?

This training will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams

Dates and how to book

This training can be booked by clicking on a preferred date below.

Please note:

• The content within this training is mainly designed to support Autistic children who have functional language skills; these maybe children who have previously been known to our service or whose communication differences do not meet our referral criteria for specialist support. The strategies within this training may compliment the specialist SaLT support for children already on our caseload
• Places are limited, and there will be a maximum of 50 attendees for this training
• A maximum of two members of teaching staff per setting can access this training (but please do contact the team directly if further places are required)
• You will not be admitted to the training if you attempt to join 15 minutes past the start time.

Wednesday 02 July 2025 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Tuesday 30 September 2025 9:30 am-11:30 am

Thursday 6 November 2025 9:30 am-11:30 am

This training session will allow you to:

• learn about the Means, Reasons, Opportunities model,
• understand about social communication needs,
• learn ways to facilitate interactions,
• learn how to give children a reason to communicate, and
• consider how to make a plan for applying strategies to children in your setting.

Audience

This training is appropriate for all early years setting staff (including Senco’s, room leaders, teachers,  key workers and teaching assistants) working within nurseries, preschools and PVIs.

How will this training be delivered?

This training will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Dates and How to Book

This training can be accessed by clicking on your preferred date below.

Please note:

• You only need to book onto one training session.
• Places are limited and there will be a maximum of 50 attendees for this training
• A maximum of two members of teaching staff can access this training (but do contact the team directly if further places are required at hct.slttraining@nhs.net).

You will not be admitted to the training if you attempt to join 15 minutes past the start time.

Wednesday 4 June 2025 13:30-15:45 pm

Thursday 11 September 2025 09:30 -11:45 am

Tuesday 18 November 2025 09:30 -11:45 am

Talking with children consists of one virtual training session, followed by two optional video coaching workshops. 

Is this training for you?

• Do you have children in your setting who need help developing their language?
• Do you want to learn hands on interaction strategies that you can embed within everyday activities, from the sand pit to snack time?
• Do you want to find out what your interaction style is and how to adapt this to support language and communication?

Aims of the training:

1. Help you to understand the different interaction styles
2. Help you to identify your own interaction style and the impact this has on a child’s language development
3. Share top tips and hands-on communication strategies to use through play.

Additionally, there is an opportunity to receive supportive video coaching to enhance your play and interaction skills.

Audience:

Early years staff (e.g. SENCO’s, keyworkers, teachers, TA’s, room leaders).

What does it involve?

• One virtual training session (two hours)
• Two optional follow-up coaching workshops (one hour each). This is a unique opportunity to receive individual coaching from the Speech and Language Therapy team. You will be asked to share short video clips of you interacting with a child to help develop your reflection, self-evaluation, and observation skills.

Talking with children training date:

This training can be booked by clicking on the preferred dates below.

Wednesday 9 July 2025 9:30-11.30 am 

Tuesday 23 September 2025 9:30-11:30 am

Thursday 4 December 2025 9:30-11:30 am

Please note:

• Max two members of teaching staff per setting
• You will not be admitted to the training if you attempt to join 15 minutes past the start time.

This virtual training session will allow you to:

• understand the nature of development language disorder (DLD) and how these difficulties may present in the classroom,
• consider the impact of DLD on the child/young person’s life,
• learn strategies that can be used and applied in everyday teaching to support children with DLD, and
• know where to go for further information/support if needed.

Audience

All teaching staff - school SENCOs and class teachers may find this training particularly helpful.

This is a two-part training.
Teaching staff can access the virtual training which will be delivered via Microsoft Teams on the date below:

Please note

• Places are limited and there will be a maximum of 50 attendees for this training.
• A maximum of twomembers of teaching staff per setting can access this training (but please do contact the team directly if further places are required by emailing hct.slttraining@nhs.net)
• You will not be admitted to the training if you attempt to join 15 minutes past the start time.

Thursday 22 May 2025 9:30 am — 11:00 am

Wednesday 25 June 09:30-10:30 am.  A link to join this follow-up session will be sent closer to the time.

Monday 13 October 2025 9:30-11:00 am 

Wednesday 12 November 2025 9:30-11:00 am

Makaton level 1

This is a practical introductory two session workshop, which teaches signs and symbols from the core vocabulary, stages 1-2 and additional vocabulary. You will also learn methods for implementing and using Makaton.
Participants will receive a manual (which includes all the signs and symbols learnt) and an attendance certificate.

You can find out more information about Makaton by visiting the website www.makaton.org.
This course costs  £69. This covers both sessions, plus your workshop manual and certificate of attendance being posted to you.

The course will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. You will need to download this on to your computer or phone; it works better on a computer.
A week before the course you will receive a joining link via e-mail, which you can use on the day to access the course.

Friday 13 June and Friday 20 June 2025 9:15 am-12:30 pm

Makaton level 2

This is a practical two session workshop, which teaches signs and symbols from the Core Vocabulary, stages 3-4 and additional. This will build on the knowledge gained in the level one workshop (or previously the Beginners part one workshop).
Participants will receive a manual (which includes all the signs and symbols learnt) and an attendance certificate.

You can find out more information about Makaton by visiting the website www.makaton.org.

You must have already attended a level one Makaton workshop and hold a level one certificate as evidence of this.

The cost of this course is £69. This covers both sessions, plus your workshop manual and certificate of attendance being posted to you.

The course will be delivered via Microsoft Teams. You will need to download this onto your computer or phone; it works better on a computer.
A week before the course, you will receive a joining link via e-mail, which you can use on the day to access the course.

Thursday 3 July and Thursday 10 July 2025 9:15 am-12:30 pm

 

We are now able to offer a virtual Word Aware training course.

This workshop takes a whole-school approach to promote the vocabulary development of all children.

Please click here to register your interest.

Word Aware Summer 2025

Supporting speech sound development

This training session will allow you to:

• understand how children usually develop speech
• learn how you can help children develop their speech within routine and play activities
• know what to do when you can’t understand what a child is saying
• know when to refer for assessment by the speech and language therapy team

Click here for the speech universal training webinar

 

Supporting vocabulary development in secondary schools

This webinar training is appropriate for all teaching staff working in Secondary Schools. However, it may be particularly beneficial for teaching assistants or members of learning support staff who play an active role in supporting children’s speech and language therapy targets. The webinar will enable you to:

• Understand why students may have difficulties with vocabulary and how these difficulties may present in the classroom
• Understand the three tier model of vocabulary
• Learn about different types of vocabulary support
• Develop your understanding of strategies you can use with all students

Click here for the training webinar

Glue ear

An introduction to glue ear and when to refer to children's speech and language therapy.

Click here for the training webinar

 

Understanding Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN) Webinar

This webinar will help you to:

• Have a greater understanding of SLCN and its impact on children’s attainment.
•   Increase confidence in using strategies to support children with SLCN both at home and in the classroom.
• Find out where to access further information and training to support children and young people with SLCN.
• Learn about the 3-tier model to support children with SLCN and where to access information on our referral process.

Click here for the training webinar

 

What is a secondary language group?

We have designed and developed a targeted language group for secondary school students. This group aims to provide equitable and accessible high quality targeted intervention, to enrich the language and communication skills of children across Hertfordshire secondary schools. The group helps students who have language difficulties as their main presenting need, to explore supportive language strategies which can be taken back to the classroom to increase student advocacy and self-management.

We will provide face to face training to set up the programme in your school. We will also visit each school for a follow up session to observe the group and provide advice and feedback. Schools will have the chance to meet with the therapist at the end of the programme to discuss each student’s progress. The group package will come with everything needed to run the group, including six detailed and easy to follow session plans, resources, advice sheets and tools to track progress and measure outcomes.

How does a secondary language group work?

Students: Schools can identify up to six students in Key Stage 3 using the tool provided. The groups can be made up of students both on and off the speech and language therapy caseload. We may recommend to schools that specific students would be appropriate for the group. 

Staff: Schools identify a member of staff (for example, a teaching assistant) who will produce the required resources within the packs, attend an initial training morning at a local venue, attend the follow up session with the therapist in school and lead on delivering the group.

Duration: Each session is approximately 60 minutes in duration and the six sessions can either be delivered weekly for six weeks or fortnightly for 12 weeks, depending on your school’s timetable.

Outcomes: At the end of the group school staff will review the students’ progress and return a quick outcome form to the therapist. Schools can then run this group with new cohorts of students. The therapist will help to identify students who may need further specialist intervention following the group or students whose needs can be met at this targeted level by using their chosen strategies within lessons. For students already on the speech and language therapy caseload, a discussion regarding next steps will take place with school staff and communicated with the family.

How to get involved? 

Our secondary language group package is free to access for all mainstream secondary schools in Hertfordshire. If you feel these groups would benefit the students in your school, please get in touch with your local Education Lead. If you would like support in knowing who this person is, you can contact your Delivering Special Provision Locally (DSPL) Leads or the Children and Young People's Therapies admin team on 01923 470 680 (Option 3) or via email hct.cyptherapies1@nhs.net.

What is the Hertfordshire Shining Communication Award (HSCA)? 

HSCA is a tool for schools to use to support and improve the outcomes for those children presenting with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN). The aim of the tool is to support settings to identify their strengths and areas of development in terms of the support provided for children with SLCN. 

How does the HSCA work? 

• There are eight ‘rays’ of the HSCA: families, quality, leadership, intervention, identification, environment, training, knowledge.  
• Schools will need to demonstrate that they are at least ‘developing’ across all eight of the ‘rays. This will be done through a combination of discussions, observations, and evidence such as completed training records. 
•  Each school will need to identify one to two ‘Communication Champions’ to lead on this award. 
• The Speech and Language Therapy team will provide the following support to help schools achieve the award: 
  • One virtual training session to provide further information about the tool and get you started
  • An initial virtual meeting with schools to identify their areas of strength and areas for development and set targets
  • A minimum of two face to face visits to the school to complete observations
  • Further meetings as required to review progress and update targets. 
• Once settings have demonstrated that they have met the minimum criteria for each of the rays, the Herts Shining Communication Award will be presented to the setting. We recommend that schools work towards achieving their award within one year of attending their initial training session.
• Each school’s HSCA status will be reviewed annually to ensure that the high standards are continuing to be met.

 

How to get involved?

Please contact your local speech and language therapy education lead to express an 
interest in starting your award or have any questions. 

What is a primary targeted language group?

The CYP speech and language therapy education leads have designed and developed three targeted language groups. These groups aim to provide equitable and accessible high quality targeted intervention, to enrich the language and communication skills of children across Hertfordshire schools. The groups focus on developing skills in the areas of understanding language, talking and attention and listening.

A member of the Speech and Language team will work with your setting staff toset up and model up to three sessions over the course of the 12 week programmes. Each of the targeted group packages will come with everything needed to run the group, including 12 detailed and easy to follow session plans, resources, and tools to track progress.

What is needed to run a targeted language group?

• Identify up to six children per group using the tool provided. The groups can be made up of children both on and off the speech and language therapy caseload and are generally aimed at the following levels:
  o early language learners (Reception - year 1)
  o language explorers (year 1 - year 2)
  o language adventurers (year 2- year 3)
• Provide a staff member who will produce the required resources within the packs and lead on delivering weekly sessions for the 12 week duration (evidence suggests that this intervention will be more effective if it runs twice weekly)
• Complete an outcome form at the end of each group.

 

How to get involved?

These group packages are free to access for all mainstream Hertfordshire schools. If you feel these groups would benefit the children in your school, please get in touch with your local education lead, who can send you further information and arrange a start date. If you would like support in knowing who this person is, you can contact your DSPL Leads or the CYP Therapy admin team on 01923 470680 Option 3 or hct.cyptherapies1@nhs.net.