Following Better Communication, the December 2008 SLCN action plan, the Department of Health (DH) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) have chosen sixteen local areas to become SLCN commissioning pathfinders.

The pathfinders will develop effective commissioning approaches for SLCN. They will also support the development of a joint commissioning framework on SLCN with tools and guidance which will help commissioners across the country improve their provision. The joint commissioning framework for SLCN will be supplemental to and build on the joint commissioning framework for children’s service published alongside the Child Health Strategy.

The joint commissioning framework, tools and guidance are being developed with support from the Commissioning Support Programme and will cover all three phases of commissioning:

to develop services for children with a range of communication needs.

The Commissioning Support Programme will also be looking at examples of good practice beyond the pathfinders in their work to support the development of the joint commissioning framework, tools and guidance. Areas outside the pathfinders can find out more about what is going on and get engaged in this work through the Commissioning Support Programme website which includes a forum on SLCN.

The following areas are SLCN commissioning pathfinders engaging commissioners across the children’s trust (including local authorities and primary care trusts):

Pathfinder Outline
Devon How do commissioners develop and implement an effective market strategy based on a comprehensive local needs assessment? Looking at phase 2 of World Class commissioning we want to develop tools for market analysis to create better services for children with SLCN including those with alternative and augmentative communication needs.
Hackney How can we best measure the outcomes delivered by our SLCN providers? Looking at phase 3 commissioning to develop, test and revise new outcomes measurement tools.
Hartlepool How do commissioners achieve consensus in allocating resources and shaping a market to improve services? Looking at phases 1 and 2 commissioning to restructure provision. Using a stepped approach, we intend to define, develop and implement a joint service model to meet the speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) of all children and young people in Hartlepool.
Hertfordshire How do commissioners develop effective and sustainable approaches to market shaping? Looking at phase 2 commissioning to think creatively about provision of services in early years and beyond.
Hounslow How do commissioned services best meet the needs of all children with SLCN? Looking at phases 1 and 3 commissioning to develop good practice parent and child engagement in commissioning services.
Lambeth How do we commission services for children with social language skill difficulties? Looking at phase 1 commissioning to consider the needs and effectiveness of interventions for children in year 5 with social language skill difficulties.
London Specialised Commissioning Group How are services for high cost, low volume needs best commissioned? The London Specialised Commissioning Group will be looking at all phases of joint-commissioning across their region for children with verbal dyspraxia.
North Lincolnshire How would a joint commissioning framework for SLCN work in rural areas? Looking at phase 3 commissioning for all children with SLCN.
North Tyneside How do commissioners achieve overall system alignment for children and young people regarding speech, language and communication? Looking at phase 1 commissioning to review services from the perspective of all users of the system.
Oxfordshire How do we identify the communication needs of young people who are known to the youth justice system? Looking at phase 1 commissioning to consider the needs of young people in contact with the youth justice system.
Plymouth How can commissioners make sure services for children with specific language impairment are effective? Focusing on phases 2 and 3 of the World Class Commissioning Cycle to deliver services that will improve outcomes for children with specific language impairment at primary and secondary level.
Southampton How are children, parents, providers and other key stakeholders, including schools, engaged together in the delivery of services? Looking at phase 1 commissioning to identify service needs for children in early years and through the transition to school.
Trafford How do we measure and assess outcomes? Looking at phase 3 commissioning, developing performance indicators that provide effective feedback on commissioned services for all children with SLCN.
Walsall What is the most effective and efficient approach to providing the full pathway of services for vulnerable 11-19 year olds? Looking at phase 1 commissioning to provide a needs assessment and a joint commissioning strategy for young people in contact with the youth justice system, who are looked after and other vulnerable groups.
Warwickshire How can we drive the development of all-round better communication in secondary schools? 'Communication Friendly Environments' will be explored through focusing on Phases 1 and 3 commissioning.
Worcestershire How can commissioners make sure children with specific language impairments are identified early and supported well? Looking at phases 1 and 2 commissioning to deliver services that improve outcomes for children with specific language impairments.

For more information about the application process that led to the selection of the pathfinders see the Department of Health website.