Supporting communication in youth justice: Introducing the Youth Justice SLCN Tool

Too many young people in the youth justice system are misunderstood, and the consequences can be serious.

Speech, language and communication needs are a significant – and often hidden – part of that picture.

Over 60% of young people in the youth justice system have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), with only a small percentage of these having had their needs identified before they enter the system. Often, in busy youth justice settings, these needs remain unnoticed – masked by young people, misunderstood by others and all too easily mistaken for disengagement or behaviour.

Medway Council and the Speech & Language Link team came together to respond to this challenge. The result is the Youth Justice SLCN Tool, a therapist-designed digital resource that enables identification and provides meaningful communication support.

Each of its four elements has been shaped with youth justice practice in mind:

1. Training for staff

   On-demand training modules developed to support those working directly with young people. The training explains why identifying and supporting speech, language and communication needs is so important and introduces straightforward, practical strategies that can be implemented immediately.

2. The Skills Checker

   This online screening tool completed by the young person with adult support, explores five key areas: language structure, language reasoning, self-help, memory, and attention/focus. Results are displayed visually using a colour chart and attention dial. There is no pass or fail, instead, the tool is deliberately designed to spark conversation, reflection and shared understanding of a young person’s strengths and potential areas for development.

3. My Action Plan (MAP)

   The MAP empowers young people to take an active role in their communication development by encouraging them to reflect on:

• What they already do well when they communicate
• The aspects of communication they would like to improve
• Strategies they can use to listen, talk and communicate more effectively
• How other people can support them to achieve their communication goals.

4. The Support Bank

   A collection of short, 10‑minute support sessions designed to be used by the young person alongside their youth justice worker. These sessions help young people build new skills and reflect on their listening and talking in a supportive, non‑pressured way.

Since its launch in Medway in March, feedback has been extremely positive. Matt Charles, Project Officer, commented:

“Key stakeholders are delighted with the quality of what you have produced. They have praised the usability of the tool, the extensive Support Bank and the fact that it feels – rightfully so – like a ‘mature’ product for young people rather than something childlike.”

This work represents a meaningful shift. Recognising and supporting SLCN helps young people better understand and engage in key processes, for example, assessments, court orders, meetings with practitioners and restorative justice conversations. It also supports their participation in education, intervention programmes and skill-building sessions, helping young people make sense of expectations and take a more active role in their progress.

For practitioners, it brings clarity, confidence and practical ways to help the young person move forward.

The Youth Justice SLCN Tool helps to bridge a critical gap, empowering young people in the youth justice system make sense of expectations, play an active role in the process around them and have their voices properly heard.

To find out more about the Youth Justice SLCN Tool and how it could support your service, please contact Judith McMillan at judithm@speechlink.co.uk