Start by logging in to your user area to access the SLCF tool.
If you do not already have an SLCF account you will need to register as a new user.

Once logged in, you will be able to complete the SLCF by selecting the level you wish to use – Foundation, Universal, Enhanced or Specialist.
You can then work through the 10 strands, rating your level of confidence for each statement, or ‘competency’.
You can select any strand to complete at any time, and don’t have to complete all of the SLCF in one go – you can save your progress and come back to it later. You can return to and update the SLCF as many times as you like.

Each strand of the SLCF forms part of a wider ‘category’ of learning.
Click on the different sections of the diagram below and hover over the numbers to see the strands in each of the three categories of the SLCF.

chart
1
Understanding & Identifying
Typical speech, language and communication development
2
Understanding & Identifying
Identification and assessment of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)
3
Understanding & Identifying
Learning English as an additional language
4
Understanding & Identifying
Relationship between SLCN and other areas of development
5
Supporting
The Communication Environment
6
Supporting
Strategies and support for children and young people with SLCN
7
Supporting
Reflecting on professional development around speech, language and communication and SLCN
8
Roles & Responsibilities
Involving children and young people with SLCN
9
Roles & Responsibilities
Your roles and responsibilities: Supporting children and young people with SLCN
10
Roles & Responsibilities
Parents, carers, families, peers and friends

Once you’ve completed the SLCF, your learning profile will show your confidence levels in each of the categories and strands.
You can then find training and resources to help you to develop your skills and knowledge in those areas.
At the Universal level there are also short online activities to support your learning or to enable you to check how much you know about a particular aspect of SLC development SLCN. You can access these activities whilst you’re completing the Universal level self-evaluation by clicking on the ‘?’ symbol next to each competency, or you can try them out on the ‘Activities’ page.

If you are using the SLCF as part of a group you should register, or log in, and complete the SLCF as above. Your group lead will send you an e-mail invite to join the group. Simply follow the instructions on your e-mail, and your data will be visible to your group co-ordinator.

 

There is further information about using the SLCF as an individual or as part of a group, including a step by step guide, in the downloadable SLCF handbook (PDF), which can be accessed at the bottom of this page.