Early Years Speech & Language Support
Collaborative toolkit approach to early communication
In Shetland, the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) team is working in close partnership with families, early years professionals, and wider services to support the development of speech, language, and communication skills in young children. Recognising that early communication lays the foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing, the team has developed an Early Years Toolkit—a comprehensive, accessible resource designed to empower adults in children’s lives.
The toolkit provides practical guidance across key areas such as listening and attention, understanding and using language, speech development, bilingualism, and stammering. It is designed not only for children with identified needs but also for those developing typically, ensuring that all families and professionals can access support tailored to their context.
Collaboration is central to this approach. The SLT team works across a range of settings—including homes, nurseries, schools, and community hubs—to promote communication-friendly environments. They provide universal support through public resources, targeted advice for children at risk of communication difficulties, and individualised interventions for those with specific needs. This tiered model ensures that support is both inclusive and responsive.
Families are encouraged to engage with the toolkit directly, using everyday interactions—such as play, storytelling, and shared routines—to build communication skills. The toolkit also links to trusted external resources like Bookbug, Tiny Happy People, and Talking Point, helping families access wider networks of support and information.
Professionals in early learning and childcare settings are supported to use the toolkit to enhance their practice. Development overviews for three and four-year-olds help practitioners identify typical milestones and spot areas where additional support may be needed. This shared understanding between SLT and early years staff strengthens the consistency of care and enables earlier intervention.
The SLT team also works with health visitors, education staff, and voluntary sector partners to ensure that children with emerging needs are identified and supported promptly. This collaborative model reflects a whole-system approach, where speech and language development is seen as a shared responsibility across services.
Importantly, the toolkit promotes a strengths-based, family-centred ethos. It acknowledges that children develop at different rates and that adults play a vital role in nurturing communication. By equipping families and professionals with the tools and confidence to support children’s development, NHS Shetland is fostering a culture of early intervention, inclusion, and empowerment.
This initiative demonstrates how locally tailored resources, backed by collaborative working, can improve outcomes for children and families—especially in remote and rural contexts like Shetland.
The Early Years Toolkit is available for anyone to look at and use, and includes lots of handy advice and resources: search “Shetland Early Years Toolkit” or click the following link https://www.nhsshetland.scot/speech-language-therapy
Contribution to the Shetland Partnership
- People: Supporting children’s early development and family wellbeing.
- Participation: Empowering families and early years staff to play an active role in communication support.
- Place: Strengthening inclusive, communication-friendly environments in homes, nurseries, and community hubs.
- Money: Promoting prevention and early intervention, reducing the need for more costly specialist services later.