Training
The Speech and Language Therapy Paediatric teams in MPFT are well-established teams of experienced, HCPC registered speech and language therapists. All courses delivered by the team sit within the framework of our Stoke Speaks Out programme which is led by a clinical lead SLT with input from a wide range of agencies.
Stoke Speaks Out has won 16 national awards for the innovation and outcomes it has achieved since its onset in 2004. Training is delivered in a variety of formats both online and face to face.
Below are the training dates for this year. For bespoke training packages or to discuss whole school or setting training please contact us.
Meet the training team
Janet Cooper
Clinical Lead Speech
& Language Therapist
Sarah Sansome
Advanced Speech
& Language Therapist
Sarah Smith
Advanced Speech
& Language Therapist
Sarah Jimenez-Novoa
Specialist Speech
& Language Therapist
Sian Bettany
Specialist Speech
& Language Therapist
Victoria Jones
Specialist Speech
& Language Therapist
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Lucy Owen
Specialist Speech &
Language Therapist
Bethany Sherwin-Jones
Specialist Speech &
Language Therapist
Laura Weston
Speech &
Language Therapist
Emma Boulstridge
Speech &
Language Therapist
Rachel Leighton
Speech &
Language Therapist
Elise Lewis
Speech & Language Therapy
Assistant Practitioner
Training Menu
Courses for the Early Years
Early Language and
Communication Network
This is a free termly virtual network open to anyone working with young children in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
We share the latest updates around children's speech, language and communication, bitesize training, strategies and tips for supporting children's communication and signpost to useful resources, organisations or events.
The Network is run by the Children's Speech and Language Therapy Team at MPUFT and we often invite guest speakers along too.
Scroll down to our timetable to book your place on the next ELC Network.
Early Communication Screen
The Early Communication Screen is a quick, easy to administer screening tool designed to be delivered by practitioners in the Early Years workforce with children 2-5 years. It can be used to identify difficulties in understanding and spoken language skills and the results enable practitioners to plan appropriate interventions and measure progress.
The training will give participants the skills and knowledge to administer the Early Communication Screen accurately and interpret the results effectively. This is a half day course delivered via MS teams.
It is essential that course participants purchase one copy of the screening tool per setting in advance of the training.
Cost of training: £50 per delegate
Cost of tool: £140 + P&P visit our online shop to purchase the tool
For whole school/setting training please enquire.
What delegates say about our courses
"I feel much more confident in assessing and supporting speech and language needs within my setting. Super tool and fabulous explanations, can't wait to get started"
Early Communication Screen
"As a result of It’s Time to Talk, children are developing in their language and this is shown through our Early Years tracking. They are more confident and are using more words during play"
"I feel I have learned a lot about the acquisition of language and the different elements of language and speech and it has highlighted specific difficulties to look out for. It's Time to Talk will be a very valuable resource to support our children.
"I feel more prepared to deliver It's Time to Talk. Lovely practical activities to share and apply into our practice."
It's Time to Talk
This course details how to implement the It’s Time to Talk intervention, which is a targeted intervention aimed at 2-3-year-old children with delayed preverbal skills and vocabulary. It’s Time to Talk helps to improve children’s attention and listening skills as well as basic vocabulary knowledge. This course is essential for staff who will be delivering the intervention in nursery classes. Find out more here. This is a half day course.
It is essential that course participants purchase one copy of the tool per setting in advance of the training.
Cost of training: £50 per delegate
Cost of tool: £40 + P&P visit our online shop to purchase the tool
For whole school/setting training please enquire.
More Time to Talk
More Time to talk is a targeted language group intervention, designed to be delivered by trained early years practitioners. The programme targets attention and listening skills, vocabulary development, understanding of two key words, saying two word phrases and teaching of early language concepts. It is the next stage after the ‘It’s Time to Talk’ intervention. The workshop will cover how to plan and deliver sessions and will familiarise practitioners with the intervention contents. Find out more here. This is a half day course.
It is essential that course participants purchase one copy of the tool per setting in advance of the training.
Cost of training: £50 per delegate
Cost of tool: £40 + P&P visit our online shop to purchase the tool
For whole school/setting training please enquire.
Courses for all practitioners in the children’s workforce
Communicating with Confidence
An essential course for anyone working with children. Participants will explore how early communication develops, the role of attachment and the carer in children’s development and an introduction to early speech, language & communication needs, with practical tips for how to support these.
A full day course delivered either face to face or via MS Teams.
Cost of training: £95 per delegate
For whole school/setting training please enquire.
What delegates say about our courses
"I feel a lot more confident in advising parents about why communication with their babies/children is so important with having this more in-depth knowledge. Also, when parents/school present with speech and language concerns I feel a lot more knowledgeable about if and when referral is appropriate, rather than just default to referring into SALT."
Communicating with Confidence
"Closing the Word Gap is a fantastic course, lots of ideas and new initiatives I can try out within my workplace. I'm really excited to apply the elements that I have learnt with the pupils in my class”
Courses for nurseries & primary schools
Information Carrying Words workshop
The workshop defines Information Carrying Words (ICWs) and how these relate to developmental language norms. Participants will learn how to use ICWs to analyse children’s language ability and create or modify activities to support language development. This is a useful tool to support children with speech and language difficulties and is widely applicable to children in all age groups presenting with language difficulties. The course is especially useful for SENCOs and Learning Support Assistants supporting children with SLCN (Speech, Language and Communication Needs) but is also relevant to general school and nursery practitioners as a strategy to support all children.
Cost: £50.00 per delegate
Closing the Word Gap
This course is essential for teachers and leaders in nurseries and schools to recognise the importance vocabulary plays in children’s development. It is suitable for all subject and KS leaders as well as those in a SENCO role. The full day course explores the importance of vocabulary for children’s learning and how a vocabulary teaching approach can support children to reach their full potential. By the end of the course participants will understand how children acquire vocabulary and will take away practical ideas to support this in their school or setting. This course can be delivered face to face or remotely via MS teams.
Cost: details coming soon.
Supporting Children Learning English as an Additional Language
This workshop will explore typical expectations and best practice for working with children learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) in the Early Years and Primary age group. Participants will explore how language develops and variation when children learn more than one language at a time. The course will cover practical strategies for supporting all children at an early stage of language learning or where children are new to English and will identify when to seek additional support.
Cost: £50.00 per delegate
For whole school/setting training please enquire.
What delegates say about our courses
“I've gained a greater understanding of how a child who is bilingual or learning EAL processes language. There were lots of strategies that I feel confident to put into place straight away. I really enjoyed taking part in this course and will be recommending it to colleagues.” Supporting children learning EAL.
I've learned more ideas of how to incorporate vocabulary into daily activities and the importance of identifying key vocabulary that needs to be taught. Inspired to go back and become immersed in vocab! Brill to hear all the stats behind the course!
Closing the Word Gap
"I feel more confident understanding why a child is emotional and how to deal with the situation more efficiently. Lots of ideas and has really made me think! Thankyou."
Emotional Literacy
Emotional Literacy
(talking about emotions)
This course is essential for anyone working with children in the early years and primary years. The course explores the impact of children’s emotional state on their ability to learn, and the importance of being able to communicate feelings for well-being and development. Participants will develop their knowledge of emotional literacy, explore behaviour as a form of communication and learn practical strategies to support the development of language of emotions.
Cost: £50.00 per delegate
For whole school/setting training please enquire.
Speech Foundations for Phonics
Participants will learn about the typical development of speech, how speech sounds are produced, links to phonics and literacy skills, and practical ways to support speech development in the classroom. This course is especially relevant to practitioners supporting children with speech difficulties which impact on their clarity or progress with phonics. Also relevant for practitioners supporting children accessing speech and language therapy for their speech sounds.
Cost: £50.00 per delegate
Cued Articulation
This course is for teachers and support workers working directly with children of any age who struggle to articulate their speech clearly.
Cued articulation is a system of hand signals that aim to make the place and nature of sound articulation more visible to support children to discriminate and say speech sounds.
The system is widely used by Speech and Language Therapists and is often recommended as a strategy to support speech development.
Delegates will learn how and where sounds are made, how Phonological Awareness develops and how Cued Articulation can be used alongside your Phonics programmes to support children that do not easily discriminate speech sounds.
Cost: £50 per delegate
For whole school/setting training please enquire
Early Talk Boost & Talk Boost KS1
We are licenced by Speech and Language UK to train practitioners to use the Talk Boost interventions.
Early Talk Boost training is for teachers and practitioners working with groups of 3-4 year olds.
Talk Boost KS1 training is suitable for reception, year one and year two teachers and teaching assistants.
Participants will develop the skills and knowledge to understand the rationale behind the intervention, identify appropriate children, measure their progress and deliver the intervention successfully.
Delegates will need their Early Talk Boost / Talk Boost KS1 folders to hand. If the school does not have the folders they will need to purchase these directly from the Speech and Language UK website prior to the training.
Makaton
Level 1: Start your Makaton journey with our Level 1 Workshop and learn Stages 1 & 2 of the Core Vocabulary, plus some additional vocabulary. Hints and tips for effective and functional signing and symbol use will be discussed in a fun and engaging session! A level 1 participant manual and certificate of attendance will be provided.
Level 2: Participants must have attended Level 1 training.
Participants will learn signs and symbols from Stages 3, 4 and additional Core Vocabulary and will learn more about how to use the signs and symbols in everyday situations.
This training is suitable for those working with children, young people or adults who are using Makaton, or would benefit from using Makaton. It is open to professionals, parents and carers.
Cost: £95 per delegate.
For whole school/setting training please enquire.
Taster session: This session gives a general introduction to Makaton and who uses it. Participants will have the opportunity to learn over 40 signs and symbols, and will receive a certificate of attendance on completion.
Handouts covering the vocabulary learned and general information regarding further Makaton training and Makaton resources will also be provided. Ideal for those interested in attending a full workshop at a later date.
Cost: £15 per delegate.
We deliver both face to face and virtual training sessions. Please note the below information before booking onto a virtual session.
Do I need a camera to participate in online training?
Yes, this is a requirement to enable you to participate in our training online. You will need to keep your camera on during the practical activities so your Tutor can see your signing and support you if needed. Your torso, face and hands will need to be in view on the camera to allow the Tutor to see your signs effectively.
Can I access the training on my smartphone?
No, smartphones are not suitable as they do not give enough visibility to support the teaching of signs.
Courses for health services
Risk Matrix Workshop
This is a Service prioritisation tool for use by whole Services of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. The course is delivered via MS teams for up to 35 delegates.
The tool was designed to support prioritising which clients are at greatest need of accessing the Service. The course covers the concept of risk, impact and need and explores where the unique role of the Service begins and ends. Part of the session is a practical case study session to try out the tool. This half day training session also gives access to the tool and a follow up network.
To discuss service needs and dates please contact Janet Cooper.
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Cost: £750.00
Training calendar and booking form
Course | Date | Time | Cost per delegate | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Communicating with Confidence | 13/11/2024 | 09:30 - 15:30 | £95 | Microsoft Teams |
Cued Articulation | 06/11/2024 | 09:30 - 15:30 | £50 | Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre |
Early Communication Screen | 02/10/2024 | 09:30 - 12:00 | £50 | Microsoft Teams |
Early Language & Communication Network (Stoke & Staffordshire practitioners only) | 04/09/2024 | 13:00 - 14:30 | Free | Microsoft Teams |
Early Language & Communication Network (Stoke & Staffordshire practitioners only) | 23/01/2025 | 13:00 - 14:30 | Free | Microsoft Teams |
Early Talk boost | 07/11/2024 | 09:30 - 12:30 | £50 | Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre |
Makaton Level 1 | 24/09/2024 | 09:00 - 16:30 | £95 | Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre |
Makaton Taster Session | 11/11/2024 | 12:30 - 14:00 | £15 | Microsoft Teams |
Makaton Taster Session | 27/03/2025 | 09:30 - 11:00 | £15 | Microsoft Teams |
More Time to Talk | 07/11/2024 | 13:00 - 15:00 | £50 | Microsoft Teams |
Staged Pathway (Stoke & Staffordshire practitioners only) | 27/11/2024 | 09:30 - 11:30 | Free | Microsoft Teams |
Supporting children learning English as an Additional Language | 03/04/2025 | 13:00 - 15:30 | £50 | Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre |
Talk Boost KS1 | 07/11/2024 | 13:00 - 16:00 | £50 | Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre |