what works: for children with speech, language and communication needs? new database launched to...
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What Works: for children with speech, language
and communication needs?New database launched to help you find
evidenced interventions appropriate for the children you work with.
Background
• What Works aims to support practitioners to make informed choices about what interventions to use to support children’s speech, language and communication
• What Works is an online searchable database of interventions that services, schools and settings may wish to employ which gives information on the evidence base for each intervention
• What Works has been developed by The Communication Trust and the Better Communication Research Programme
What else is What Works..?
• A starting point...– To enable us to consider what works best for the
children we work with and share good evidence based practice
• A working document...– To be added to, commented on, enhanced by
practitioners, academics and professional bodies • A tool...
– To enable us to add to our evidence based practice, be more consistent, identify gaps
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Why is it needed?
The impact of SLCN
• Large numbers of children have SLCN – it’s the most common childhood disability
• Well rehearsed arguments on impact – SLCN affects literacy, self esteem, social interaction and attainment...
The need of the workforce
• Feedback from schools – often they don’t know where to begin
• Feedback from therapists – interventions and services need to be evidence based with positive outcomes
Evidenced interventions...? We aimed for a balance and to avoid...
Just gold standard RCT Weak evidence
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A double blind randomised placebo controlled clinical
trial.......
The children had a great time...
Our approach...
• Evidence based model – Good quality evidence
of effectiveness– Expert advice– Informed professional
opinion– Views of users;
workforce/schools
Latest update
• What Works has now been launched as a prototype with around 60 interventions included
• Access the new website at : www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/whatworks
How to use What Works?
• Complete a simple registration form
Finding what you’re looking for...
You will be able to search the database of evidenced interventions by:
– Age range– Target group, according to types of communication need– Whether the intervention is at universal, targeted or specialist
levels– Who the intervention is delivered by– The level of evidence
•You can also search through A-Z if you know the name of the intervention
Search outcomes• You will then be shown a list of interventions that meet your criteria
Then what...• And you can find out more detail about each
intervention
Don’t forget...important additional information...
• There is a range of additional information: – To set interventions in a wider context– To suggest key principles around working with
children with SLCN, with the aim specific interventions aren’t seen as a “fix all”
– For different audiences, such as parents or commissioners
– On interpreting the evidence provided14
Sharing experience
• One of the aims of the What Works database is to create a community for practitioners to share their experiences of using interventions
• So when you have used this intervention please share your feedback with the other users of this site
Consultation
• The Trust is rolling out a year-long programme of consultation with key stakeholders and practitioners
• Once you have registered and used the site, please do complete our short online questionnaire to let us know your thoughts so that we can improve the site in the future
• Please contact us if you want to give more detailed feedback
Spread the word
• Please help us spread the word!
• We want as many people as possible to know about the site and to tell us what they think about it
• We would be very grateful if you could pass information to your colleagues and peers through local, regional and national networks
Ongoing development...
• The website will be launched in its final iteration in 2013, with new interventions or evidence added as they become available
• A moderating group will ensure all interventions meet set criteria to ensure independence and robust judgement
• If you have an intervention you want to be considered for the database, please contact us
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More information
• For more information about What Works, please contact the Trust:
Catherine Hillis
020 7843 2554