Communication Setting Levels

I CAN Early Talk aims to help services and settings to develop and improve the way in which they support the communication development of all children. This is done through a quality assurance, accreditation scheme which is available at three levels to reflect the specialisation of the service or setting being accredited. To be awarded accredited status at any level, services and settings must demonstrate that they fulfil the standards of good practice endorsed by I CAN.

Accreditation takes place at three levels, requiring settings to demonstrate:

A Communication supportive setting:
A setting aiming to achieve accreditation at the supportive level should be able to promote the development of speech and language skills in all children. They will have an awareness that some children may have difficulties and know who they could contact for support. Following development of a portfolio of evidence by the setting, the accreditation is carried out as a half a day inspection of the portfolio plus a half day on site observation by one or two accreditors from the partnership authority. 

- To see the supportive accreditation standards click here.

A Communication enhanced setting: 
A setting aiming to achieve accreditation at the enhanced level should be able to promote the development of speech and language skills in all children. They will also have a greater understanding of speech and language difficulties and are more able to support those children and work with the SLTs who may be involved with the children. The accreditation is carried out over two days by two accreditors and also includes the development of a portfolio of evidence by the setting. Half of the second day is spent preparing the report.

- To see the enhanced accreditation standards click here.

A Specialist Service:
A setting aiming to achieve specialist I CAN accreditation will not only be able to promote speech and language development of all children but will also provide specialist and integrated education and SLT support for those children with the most severe speech and language difficulties. This accreditation is undertaken by two external accreditors (provided by I CAN) over three days. More information on the process and documentation required for this level of accreditation can be found within the introductory sections of the specialist accreditation standards.

- To see the specialist accreditation standards click here.