Speech development campaign to target young people

I CAN’s Make Chatter Matter campaign traditionally reached out to parents and practitioners in schools and early years settings. But it will now also focus on working with youth workers, social workers and carers.

Anita Kerwin-Nye, director of communications at I CAN, said: “I CAN wants to ensure that anyone who has a responsibility for children recognises that speech, language and communication is the foundation life skill."

The children’s communications charity, which is hosting a conference looking at the role of speech, language and communication in supporting social inclusion in London next week will also present findings of its new report Language and Social Exclusion.

Melanie Cross, I CAN expert advisor, said: “Communication is the missing link in the social exclusion chain and it is imperative that the role of speech and language is considered in every social exclusion scenario.”