News

The Communication Trust, in partnership with I CAN and Dyslexia Action, have developed a specific communication needs and screening tool training for Youth Offending Team (YOT) staff. The training was successfully piloted at Ealing, Kent and Milton Keynes and a pilot ‘training the trainer’ was hosted by Derbyshire YOT.

The full two day training programme aims to provide YOT staff with a greater understanding of the hidden communication needs of young people, highlight the impact of poor communication skills, help them to develop strategies and look at how these strategies can be adapted to the workplace. Staff will also be trained in the use of a screening tool that helps to identify hidden communication needs.

Although the full training is across two days, which we would recommend, there is also the option for a single day training. The full two days training covers awareness raising and strategies on the first day and an overview of hidden difficulties; Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder followed by training in the screening tool on day two. A single day training would cover the awareness raising and strategies.

The Trust is currently in the process of recruiting trainers to deliver the training which we hope to have available by early September. The Trust will provide these trainers (one speech and language specialist and one dyslexia specialist) free of charge through funding kindly provided by the Department for Education. YOTs will only be required to provide a space to hold the sessions. Funding at this time is limited so training will be provided on a first come first served basis. However, we are seeking further funding to ensure that the training is available to all YOTs that would like it. Plans are also in place to develop funded training for Young Offenders Institutions, Secure Children’s Homes and Secure Training Centres. A further announcement will be made about this later in the summer.

If you are interested in receiving this training or wish to find out more please contact Dave Mahon at the Trust at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 0207 843 2548.