Speech and Language Therapy training
We are excited to be developing our training offer and are hosting a range of online and in-person events over the year.
Find out more about our different training packages:
Talking Matters
Communication for all
Teacher Talk (TM) Training A: Encouraging Language Development in Early Childhood Settings
Communication Partners: Using aided language boards in settings
Inset Day / Twilight Sessions
Talking Still Matters
Talking Matters
This free course is aimed at practitioners who work with children under the age of 5.
Practitioners will learn about:
- The latest research into the importance of SLC.
- Typical stages of language development.
- How to identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
Talking Matters Training dates (all sessions are completed on MS Teams):
- Tuesday 28 April 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm - Click here to book your place
- Thursday 21 May 2026, 1pm to 4pm - Click here to book your place
- Wednesday 24 June 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm - Click here to book your place
- Thursday 10 September 2026, 1pm to 4pm - Click here to book your place
- Tuesday 13 October 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm - Click here to book your place
- Wednesday 11 November 2026, 1pm to 4pm - Click here to book your place
- Monday 14 December 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm - Click here to book your place
Talking Matters Twilight Training sessions (all sessions are completed on MS Teams):
- Tuesday 22 and 29 September 2026, 6:30pm - 8:00pm - Click here to book your place
Communication for all
We have made some changes to this course based on participant feedback. Communication for All is now delivered over one session and is free of charge.
This fun and practical course:
- Teaches participants a small number of useful Makaton signs.
- Supports practitioners to understand how to use signs and symbols in their settings.
- Considers how physical environments impact on children's communication skills.
- Supports practitioners to audit environments and set actions to raise standards of practice.
Communication for All training dates:
Children's Development Centre, City Hospital Campus
- Thursday 11 June 2026, from 9:30am to 12:30 pm - Click here to book your place
Warsop Primary Care Centre
- Wednesday 9 December 2026, from 9:30am to 12:30pm - Click here to book your place
Communication for All Twilight session (all sessions are completed on MS Teams):
- Wednesday 15 July 2026, from 6:30pm to 8pm - Click here to book your place
Teacher Talk (TM) Training A: Encouraging Language Development in Early Childhood Settings
This course is written by The Hanen Program ® for Early Childhood Educators/Teachers and id delivered by Hanen trained Speech and Language Therapists.
Completed over 3 sessions (7.5 hours of teaching), this practical course supports participants to build upon their interaction skills with young children. Practitioners are all provided with their own workbook that accompanies the training.
Practitioners will learn to:
- Identify children's conversational styles.
- Understand the role that adults play when interacting with children.
- Understand and implement strategies when following the child's lead.
- Help children become better conversation partners by using appropriate questions, comments and turn-taking cues.
- Use five important steps to ensure that no child is left out of the interaction during group activities.
Click here for more information about Teacher Talk.
If you would like Teacher Talk training in your school please contact: L4L@nottshc.nhs.uk for a quote.
Communication Partners: Using aided language boards in settings
This practical course is delivered by Speech and Language Therapists and is designed to support educational professionals to use aided language boards within their school / early years setting.
Participants will be given free access to a range of aided language boards to print and use in their setting.
The course is delivered over 2 sessions:
- Session 1: Face to face teaching - 3 hours
- Session 2: MS Teams troubleshooting session - 90 minutes (4-6 weeks after the face to face training)
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
- Describe what aided language is and how it can help children to develop their language and communication skills
- Understand and use the strategies to support aided language in your setting
- Take away practical ideas for modelling in your setting
- Acknowledge the barriers that might stop your children from using symbols and communicating
- Discuss successes, barriers and get advice from a Speech and Language Therapist via an online troubleshooting session 4-6 weeks after the face to face training
Inset and Twilight Training
We can offer the above training packages as inset day or twilight training sessions. We are also keen to develop and extend the range of training packages we offer.
If you require a particular training that is not listed, please do contact us at L4L@nottshc.nhs.uk to discuss your training needs.
Talking Still Matters
We've had lots of enquiries about SLCN training for staff who support children in primary schools. We are really excited to now be offering Talking Still Matters looks at universal strategies that can be used in the classroom to support the speech, language and communication development of children aged 5-11.
- The importance of speech, language and communication
- How speech, language and communication skills develop
- How to identify children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
- How to audit your classroom environment.
- How to make some quick wins in your classroom.
- Local and national resources / support for children with SLCN.
Talking Still Matters Training dates (all sessions are completed on MS Teams):
- Thursday 17 September 2026, from 9:30am to 12:30pm - Click here to book your place
- Monday 16 November 2026, from 1pm - 4pm Click here to book your place
Rate this page or report a problem





