What is the WellComm Toolkit and WellComm Toolkit Loan Scheme?
The WellComm Toolkit is a speech and language screening and intervention resource that helps early years practitioners assess children's communication and language development, identify areas of need, and provide targeted activities to support progress.
The WellComm Toolkit Loan Scheme is available to early years providers to support the identification of, and intervention for, children with speech, language and communication needs. The toolkit is provided free of charge for a 16-week loan period, with the Cambridgeshire Early Years, Childcare and School Readiness Service arranging both delivery and collection. At the end of the loan period, providers can reapply to borrow the toolkit as many times as they wish, enabling ongoing assessment, intervention and support for children's communication and language development.
The aims of the early years WellComm Toolkit Loan Scheme are to:
- Assess all children's communication and language development using a structured screening tool.
- Identify emerging speech, language and communication needs at the earliest opportunity.
- Enable practitioners to plan and deliver targeted interventions matched to each child's developmental level.
- Support timely referrals where additional specialist support may be required.
- Strengthen practitioners' confidence and knowledge in supporting communication and language development.
- Promote partnership working with parents by sharing practical activities and strategies to use at home.
- Encourage a consistent approach between home and the early years setting to support children's progress.
- Improve children's communication and language outcomes, helping them to access learning and thrive.
How is the WellComm Toolkit Loan Scheme taking place across the county?
The WellComm Toolkit Loan Scheme is available to early years providers across Cambridgeshire, ensuring equitable access to the resource countywide.
Providers can express an interest in the WellComm Toolkit Loan Scheme by completing the WellComm Toolkit Loan Expression of Interest online application form, after which further information and a loan agreement will be provided.
