Intervention First
The Intervention First™ model offers screening, targeted intervention and progress reviews for each child, delivered one day-a-week over a six week period. It is suitable for primary and secondary (EYFS, KS1-KS4) children with attention and listening, understanding and communication, language/vocal needs and is delivered by our highly trained Communication and Language Specialists (CALS). The screening process and intervention programmes have been carefully created by our team of experienced Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs), ensuring the model provides high quality, evidence based input for children with speech and language needs at a targeted level.
The first day of each block involves each child attending a short (15 minute) screening assessment. This screening assessment identifies the needs of each child and allocates them to the most appropriate group for targeted therapy. We can screen up to 15 children for Primary school (EYFS/KS1/KS2) children and up to 12 children for secondary school (KS3/KS4). We advise and support every setting on how to identify children for screening assessments and obtain/gather parental consent for each child.
Once children have been grouped for the appropriate therapy, the 20-30 minute group programmes are delivered by our Communication and Language Specialists (CALS) once a week over a 4-week period. In the final (6th) week, the children are reviewed, and all progress and targets achieved are recorded. An overview of the delivered group programmes is provided for the school/parents/carers’ reference. Please note that only group reports are provided.
During the screening process, any children with potentially more specialist needs (e.g. Selective mutism, stammering, severe speech sound difficulties) are identified and promptly processed for SLT referral assessment (either direct with Chatterbug or to NHS provision).
In most cases, the child can still benefit from receiving the Intervention First™ therapy whilst awaiting their SLT specialist assessment.
We welcome teachers, TAs, parents and carers to join and observe the intervention therapy sessions, to encourage the child to practise programme activities between sessions.