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 Sandwell.

In Sandwell the number of children needing support for speech, language and communication in Year 1 rose from 276 in 2015/16 to 361 in 2021/22.

The number of children needing support for speech, language and communication in Year 1 in 2021/22 rose by 7.44% compared to the previous academic year. This is below the the national rise of 9.81%. The authority ranks 12 in the region out of 14 authorities.

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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