Read some frequently asked questions about the WellComm Toolkit.

Do we really have to screen all children each year?

Yes, this is a fundamental principle of this approach. Under identification of need is a well documented issue which leads to much larger, potentially whole of life consequences for children. The universal screening approach takes a significant step towards addressing this problem.

How often should we re-screen children with the WellComm?

All children should be screened on an annual basis as part of the universal screening process. Children who achieve amber or red scores should be re-screened following interventions to monitor progress and support decisions about further intervention. Decisions about when it is appropriate to rescreen following interventions should be led by the practitioners.

Will this help my setting, my team and my children get more support in the future?

Quite possibly. Along with colleagues in the NHS, we're keen to work in increasingly more targeted ways. Using the WellComm Toolkit to help ‘the system’ understand where needs are across the city will help us to do this. Those that engage with this will be well placed to clearly articulate the needs that their community have.

What if we identify lots of need amongst our cohort? Is there any additional follow-on support?

Yes, there’s some different options for further support if the ‘Big Book of Ideas’ doesn’t respond to needs appropriately. All settings have access to the Communication Toolbox and the Speech, Language and Communication Handbook– these would be a good first place to look for additional support. There is also the city’s Speech, Language and Communication Hub. This is a group of Early Years Practitioners with advanced qualifications in speech, language and communication who can offer support and signposting to other high quality resources and training offers.

When should we screen a new starter?

We would suggest that you complete the WellComm screen once a child has settled into your setting. It's recommended that the screens are completed by an adult who is familiar to the child. You're more likely to get a true picture of the child’s language skills if they feel comfortable.

When and how should we involve parents/carers?

Parents should be informed that you use the WellComm screen as part of your Settings observation, assessment and planning cycle to universally screen children’s language skills. This information can be shared in a number of ways for example, policies, newsletters and through the settings social media platforms. It's recommended that conversations are had with parents as part of the screening process and outcomes from the screen should be discussed individually with parents. This should happen for all children, not just those who return a red of amber WellComm result.  This helps with the idea that WellComm is for everyone and that all children’s speech, language and communication development is important. For children who achieve amber or red on the screen, activities (for example, from the Big Book of Ideas) should be shared with parents to enable them to support their child with their language development at home.  You can find more information in our how to work with parents/carers and WellComm how to guide and accompanying case studies.  You can also download, print or share electronically our Parents’/Carers’ guide to WellComm in York.

What if we think the child would usually understand something but they get it wrong on the screen?

Sometimes a child may get a question wrong on the screen when you're confident that they know it. This can happen for a number of reasons and it's important that you mark down how the child scored on the screen and not what you think they know. Screening questions are phrased in a particular way to assess whether a child truly understands the concept or sentence structure.

A high number of our babies and under 2s are coming out as red and amber but we’re not concerned. What should we do?

The screening tools for children under 2 are quite sensitive and you therefore might see a higher number than expected achieving amber and red scores. Screening outcomes should be used alongside practitioner experience and knowledge of the child and in consultation with parents. The screening outcome can be helpful to signpost to areas to focus on, to support the child’s language development.

What should we do if the child achieves green?

Green suggests the child’s language skills are developing appropriately for their age and no further specific intervention is required. These children should be screened annually as part of universal screening.

Is the WellComm suitable for children learning English as an additional language?

Yes, all children can be included in the WellComm approach. The aim of the WellComm is to identify underlying language difficulties, rather than assessing a child’s second language learning. Therefore, it's recommended that you screen the child in their strongest language, an interpreter may be required to support with this. It's possible to screen bilingual children in English to gather information about how the child’s English is developing and guidance about how to support them with this. However, this wouldn’t reflect the child’s true language skills. You can find more information in our how to use WellComm with children as an additional language how to guide and accompanying case studies.

How do I know when to refer to Speech and Language Therapy service?

Screening outcomes should be used alongside practitioner experience and knowledge of the child and in consultation with parents, when considering whether further external support is required. The WellComm uses a traffic light scoring system;

• Green – age appropriate, no intervention required
• Amber – slight delay, support with interventions initially to see if they improve without external support
• Red – needs additional support in the settings and consider referral to additional services

 If referring to other services for example, SLT, please include information from the WellComm screening, including interventions and impact, to support the referral process.

We have more questions about WellComm where can we access support?

You can access further support about the WellComm in the following ways;

• WellComm workshops - these monthly workshops provide advice and training around how to use activities and ideas from the ‘Big Book of Ideas’ as well as how to embed strategies into everyday practice. There are opportunities for those attending, to share their own experience and ideas from using the WellComm and to bring any questions to the group
• Speech Language and Communication Hub - a group of practitioners with experience and training in Speech, Language and Communication who can be contacted to provide support with any aspects of WellComm

Find out more through the GL Assessment website.

We have new members of staff, can they access any WellComm training?

Yes, any number of staff from a school or setting can attend the free WellComm Training sessions even if that school or setting has attended the training sessions before.  Dates for upcoming training sessions can be found online.

How and when should I submit data from WellComm screens?

You are required to submit WellComm data annually as part of Early Talk for York. You will receive an email in the autumn term with a spreadsheet to complete and information about how to return your data via a secure email system. You'll be asked to provide the following data for the children screened:

• name
• gender
• date of birth
• Any identified SEND
• EAL
• residential postcode
• date of screening assessment
• the colour code the child achieved for their age-related section (green, amber or red)

The data that you return will be used to help make decisions about further city-wide support available for speech, language and communication therefore it's very important we get the most complete data from across the city that we can.

Following this initial data collection you will not need to submit data from any rescreens for that academic year.