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 West Sussex.

In West Sussex the number of children needing support for speech, language and communication in Year 1 rose from 550 in 2015/16 to 630 in 2021/22.

The number of children needing support for speech, language and communication in Year 1 in 2021/22 rose by 10.72% compared to the previous academic year. This is higher than the national rise of 9.81%. The authority ranks 10 in the region out of 19 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