Communication support framework and targeted provision

What is the communication support framework?

The communication support framework is a framework developed by the speech and language therapy service in Sheffield Children’s Hospital. It is based on the Communication At The Heart of the School framework (CATHS).

The communication support framework includes 6 banded levels that describe the communication skills that a child may have or be developing, and relevant recommendations for that level of development.

If your child has been screened in education, the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) can tell you what band your child is developing at. Please ask your SENCO.

What is targeted provision?

Targeted support should be put in place by adults for children who are not achieving at age related expectations. This is delivered inside the classroom as inclusive practice for specific children and or outside the classroom in specific intervention groups.

There are also some ideas that parents or carers can put in place at home.

How can I help my child at levels 1 to 6?

Band 1

A child at band 1 presents with the communication skills typical of a child aged 0 to 12 months old. At this age, a child’s understanding of language is very much based on familiarity, routines and other cues.

Band 1 targeted provision

Band 2

A child at band 2 presents with the communication skills typical of a child aged 12 to 18 months old. Children at this stage are developing their ability to label and request things they can see in their environment using mostly single words, for example, ‘doggy’, ‘bye-bye’, ‘more’, ‘no’. Some children may start using whole phrases that they have learned as a ‘chunk’ such as “here you go”.

Band 2 targeted provision

Band 3

A child at band 3 presents with the communication skills typical of a child aged 18 months old to 2 years old. Children at this stage are developing their ability to label, request and describe things they can see in their environment. Early grammar skills are also beginning to emerge.

Band 3 targeted provision

Band 4

A child at band 4 communication presents with the communication skills typical of a 3 year old. Children at this stage are developing their ability to describe their environment and their experiences. Early prediction skills are beginning to emerge.

Band 4 targeted provision

Band 5

A child at band 5 communication presents with the communication skills typical of a child aged 4 to 8 years old. Children at this stage are refining their ability to describe their environment and their experiences. Prediction and problem solving or reasoning skills are developing.

Band 5 targeted provision

Band 6

A child at band 6 communication presents with the communication skills typical of children over 9 years old. Children at this stage are refining their ability to describe their environment and their experiences with increasingly complex grammar structures and vocabulary. Prediction and problem solving and reasoning skills (including thinking about problems from multiple perspectives) are developing and being refined.

Band 6 targeted provision