Service changes and visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic
During this COVID-19 pandemic there may be changes in the way some of our services work. Contact the service directly to check how services are being delivered and follow their advice.
Some of our services now offer video consultations. You should speak to your clinician if this is something you would like them to consider. You can find out more about video consultation here.
Visiting
Contact the ward you wish to visit in advance for guidance and instructions for a safe visit.
You can read some general NHS guidance on visiting healthcare inpatient settings.pdf [pdf] 89KB
If you need help in a mental health crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic outside office hours please contact our crisis team: Help in a crisis
For other medical advice and support contact your GP or visit NHS 111
Only visit your local Emergency Department for serious life-threatening conditions that need immediate medical attention including persistent severe chest pain, loss of consciousness, acute confused state, severe breathlessness, severe blood loss, serious burns or suspected stroke.
Early years Foundation Stage
In Nottinghamshire we have a wide variety of professional development opportunities that will allow early years practitioners to complete all the universal and enhanced competencies on the Communication Trust’s Speech, Language and Communication Framework (SLCF). Click here for information about this national framework.
We also have a Talking Together Service available within and outside the county, providing an evidence-based way to utilise early years pupil premium to support children's speech, language and communication.
Training for everyone
We recommend that all early years practitioners who work face to face with children and families attend the following courses once, which will fulfil competencies at the universal level of the framework.
- Talking Matters
- Let’s Interact
- Communication For All
- Supporting Children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) skills
These courses focus on providing support for vulnerable children, including prevention and early identification and support for children with additional needs.
There are no minimum entry requirements, but it is recommended you do the first three courses in order. Supporting Children with English as an Additional Language can be done at any time.
The Talking Together Service provides an evidence - based way to use early years pupil premium to support children's speech, language and communication needs.
Training for specific language roles
For early years practitioners with specific roles to develop children’s speech, language and communication skills, such as Home Talk workers, language leads and TAs, we recommend further training. Please contact L4L@nottshc.nhs.uk for more information.
Nottinghamshire’s Language Lead scheme provides a route from enhanced professional role responsibility for language development in an early years setting, through to accreditation that leads to a Level 3 award in “Supporting Speech, Language and Communication Needs”.
We can support 18 practitioners a year through the accreditation process. Email for further information about this scheme or visit our language lead page.