Analysing the impact of the pandemic on children’s speech development

Children entering school in the year after the first lockdown are showing a big increase in speech, language and communication (SLC) needs, according to analysis of DfE data. Find out how the numbers changed in Bedford.

In Bedford the number of children needing support for speech, language and communication in Year 1 rose from 93 in 2015/16 to 112 in 2021/22.

The number of children needing support for speech, language and communication in Year 1 in 2021/22 dropped by -13.85% compared to the previous academic year. This is below the the national rise of 9.81%. The authority ranks 11 in the region out of 11 authorities.

Explore your area

Chart: numbers of year 1 children needing speech and communication support

Explore the data: year-on-year change since 2016

Chart: year-on-year change in children needing speech and communication support