Service specific questions:Talk Boost
1. What does your service do?
Talk Boost is an evidenced programme for 4-7 year olds which helps children with delayed language skills to catch up with their peers. It is a 10 week intervention delivered 3 times a week by a trained teaching assistant. There are also whole class activities carried out by the teacher.
2. Where is it located and what areas does it cover?
Talk Boost is delivered in schools by trained staff. It is available anywhere in the UK. Contact I CAN for information about providers of Talk Boost training in your local area.
3. Who does your service provide for?
Talk Boost is for children aged 4-7 years. It works best for children with delayed language development who are likely to be able to ‘catch up’ and is not designed for children who have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) that are likely to be longer term.
A ‘speech, language and communication progression tool’ is included in the pack which means teaching staff can measure children’s language levels before and after the programme. This lets them to see who would benefit from the programme and to measure how successful it is.
4. How can I start using the service?
Schools can get training either from I CAN directly or from an I CAN Talk Boost Licensee. They can buy the accompanying Talk Boost starter pack from I CAN. For more information visit or contact us to find details of practitioners providing Talk Boost training in your local area.
5. How are decisions made about who can use your service?
Talk Boost is available to buy by any school which has children aged 4-7 years. School staff must have training before they run the groups.
Schools decide which children will get the intervention, by carrying out the screening tool included in the programme. They will identify the children with language delay who would benefit the most.
6. How do you communicate with service users and how are they involved in decision making/planning?
Schools themselves with let parents know which children will be taking part in Talk Boost.
Talk Boost comes with a Children’s Activity Book with ideas and activities for parents to do at home. The intervention also includes certificates and stickers to show what the children have been working on and how well they have done.
7. What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had or are having?
Talk Boost can only be run if the teaching assistant and teacher have had the training first. The training tells them how they can support children with language delay and how to run the programme.
8. Who can I contact for further information?
E mail enquiries to or see our website for further details.
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