The Speech and Language Support Practitioner apprenticeship is an 18-month Level 5 programme for teaching assistants and support staff, focusing on speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN). Delivered by Best Practice Network and Speech & Language Link, it provides practical strategies and wider teaching skills to support pupils with SLCN. The apprenticeship includes online sessions, coaching, workplace activities, and culminates in an end-point assessment. It benefits pupils by improving learning access and schools by building in-house expertise.
The Speech and Language Support Practitioner apprenticeship is an 18-month Level 5 specialist development programme for teaching assistants and support staff. It builds expertise in speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), helping you identify needs, remove barriers to learning and support pupils to participate more fully in school.
The programme leads to Speech & Language Link Certification and Specialist Teaching Assistant Level 5.
What the apprenticeship covers
The Speech and Language Support Practitioner apprenticeship helps you understand speech, language and communication needs, how communication skills develop, and how communication difficulties can affect learning and behaviour.
You learn about common difficulties and diagnoses, communication breakdowns, and how to identify signs of need or ‘red flags’.
Who delivers the programme
Best Practice Network delivers the apprenticeship in partnership with Speech & Language Link.
Best Practice Network provides apprenticeship training expertise. Speech & Language Link contributes specialist speech, language and communication knowledge, including input from qualified speech and language therapists.
What qualification you receive
The programme awards Speech & Language Link Certification and Specialist Teaching Assistant Level 5. It is built on the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant standard.
Who can apply
The apprenticeship is designed for teaching assistants and support staff who want to develop specialist speech, language and communication skills and have a stronger impact on pupils’ learning, participation and outcomes.
It is especially suited to staff who work with pupils with speech, language and communication needs or pupils who struggle to understand, express themselves or engage in learning.
Suitable roles include:
- teaching assistants
- special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) teaching assistants
- learning support assistants
- higher level teaching assistants
- pastoral and inclusion staff
- early career support staff looking to progress.
What the eligibility requirements are
To take part in the Speech and Language Support Practitioner apprenticeship, you must:
- be currently employed in a school or education setting
- have your employer’s support to complete the programme
- be able to apply your learning in your role and complete workplace activities
- have the right to work and study in England.
What practical strategies you learn
The apprenticeship covers practical classroom strategies for supporting speech, language and communication. These include:
- supporting attention and listening
- creating communication-supportive environments
- slowing down language and giving pupils processing time
- breaking down instructions
- modelling language
- using visuals and prompts
- supporting vocabulary development
- helping pupils express themselves.
What wider teaching assistant skills you develop
Alongside specialist speech and language learning, the programme develops wider Specialist Teaching Assistant skills.
The modules cover:
- wellbeing and resilience
- reflective practice and professional development
- legal requirements and guidance
- curriculum and the learning environment
- child development
- theories of learning and pedagogy
- inclusive practice and supporting individual needs
- learning resources and technology
- planning and assessment
- advocating for learner needs
- effective teamworking and partnership working.
Specialist speech and language learning is embedded throughout these modules.
How the apprenticeship is delivered
The apprenticeship is designed to fit around your existing role. Delivery includes:
- facilitated online sessions
- monthly coaching with an experienced practitioner
- online learning
- workplace activities
- portfolio development.
Regular virtual classroom sessions and monthly coaching help you apply your learning in the workplace, reflect on your progress, build confidence and develop evidence of your impact in school.
You apply new knowledge and strategies directly in your day-to-day role. You also build a portfolio of evidence showing your impact in supporting pupils.
How long the apprenticeship takes
The Speech and Language Support Practitioner apprenticeship takes 18 months. This consists of 15 months of learning followed by gateway and end-point assessment, which may take up to three months.
How gateway and end-point assessment work
Gateway is the final stage before assessment. At gateway, your employer and training provider confirm that you have developed the required knowledge, skills and behaviours and are ready to move to end-point assessment.
The end-point assessment includes:
- an observation with questions in your real working environment
- a professional discussion supported by the portfolio of evidence you built during the programme.
The end-point assessment determines your final grade. You can receive a pass, merit or distinction.
How the apprenticeship benefits pupils
Best Practice Network says that speech, language and communication needs are the most common type of special educational needs and disabilities in England. For current figures on pupils receiving special educational needs support who are identified with SLCN, check the relevant Best Practice Network website page.
The programme aims to help pupils with SLCN access learning, participate more fully and make stronger progress. It gives staff practical strategies to support pupils’ understanding, communication, behaviour, wellbeing and inclusion in school.
How the apprenticeship benefits schools and trusts
The apprenticeship helps schools and trusts build in-house expertise in speech, language and communication.
It supports staff to identify needs earlier, adapt classroom practice, work effectively with colleagues and external professionals, and build long-term capacity across the setting.
How to check costs and funding
Check the Best Practice Network programme page for the current programme price, learner cost and whether Apprenticeship Levy funding covers the programme.
How to learn more or apply
To learn more or apply, sign up on the Best Practice Network Speech and Language Support Practitioner apprenticeship page.