SSLEUTHS 1

(Soundswell Screening Language Expression & Understanding Tracker Handbook for Schools) is a practical toolkit to help staff to:

• Identify communication levels right from the very beginning
• Track the acquisition of skills
• Signpost the user to appropriate strategies and interventions to both consolidate gains and support progression

SSLEUTHS 1 is designed to be used with any pupil functioning below National Curriculum Level. Pupils at this level are likely to have significant communication and learning needs and be part of the school’s SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) register.

Participants receive the handbook as part of the course. There are two sets of resources (assessments & observation and teaching & learning) which can be accessed here.

Introduction

• Identify communication levels right from the very beginning
• Track the acquisition of skills
• Signpost the user to appropriate strategies and interventions to both consolidate gains and support progression

SSLEUTHS-1 is a communication pathway designed to be used by school staff to help identify the best level of communication that matches the pupil’s strengths. It is a working document that functions best when linked directly to the Speaking and Listening curriculum. It is not designed to be a series of standalone checklists that are used to check a pupil’s progress once or twice a year.

The aim of SSLEUTHS-1 is to help the school staff team to know:

• what communication strategies are needed by individual pupils
• how to identify communication strengths to target for development
• when and what communication strategies to progress on to (next steps)
• what support is needed throughout the day to achieve functional communication.

Pupils who will benefit from SSLEUTHS-1

The pathway can be used with any pupil functioning below National Curriculum Level.  Pupils at this level are likely to have significant communication and learning needs and be part of the school’s SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) register.

Most, if not all pupils are also likely to have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) to ensure their ongoing learning needs are appropriately supported.

Although some of the assessment/observation and teaching and learning resources included within SSLEUTHS-1 may be used for targeted pupils, they mainly have application for all pupils. 

Content

There are two parts:

Part 1: Early Communicators (Levels 1 to 3)
– covers most pupils working at a developmental age equivalent of approximately 0-12 months.

Part 2: Developing Communicators (Levels 4 and 5)
– covers pupils working at developmental age equivalent of between 12 & 60 months.

At each level, the adult is directed to ‘next steps’ resources for:

• additional observation/assessment
• teaching and learning

SSLEUTHS 1
takes account of both linear and lateral progression. It identifies what a pupil can do and where to go next. Thus providing:

• accurate observations and assessments
• appropriately targeted interventions
• a roadmap for the way forward
• support for parents so that they can see the tiny steps their child might make.