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I CAN
I CAN is the national educational charity for children and young people with speech and language difficulties. We are the only national charity providing a range of educational services for these children and young people, and our vision is to create a society where the special needs of children with speech and language impairment are recognised, understood and met. I CAN is involved in the integration of speech and language therapy and education and promotes collaborative practice in all aspects of the management of children and young people with these difficulties.
I CAN's activities include:
• An Early Years Programme, which is developing a national network of
pre-school services to meet the needs of young children, by providing vital
intervention in the early years of a child's life to help ensure a successful
transition to school. Services are set up in partnership with local
authorities- through this network we hope to help transform early years speech
and language provision in the UK.
• Mainstream Support Programme, helping older children by ensuring they
can get the specialist therapy and educational support they need in local
mainstream schools, close to home. I CAN has helped establish four language
resources based in local schools, which enable young people with speech and
language impairment to study in lessons and other school activities alongside
their peers.
• Three special schools (day and residential), which help children from
all over the country. Based in Sussex, Surrey and Nottinghamshire, they offer
high quality intensive education to children and young people with severe and
complex speech and language impairment. Each school employs teams of teachers,
speech and language therapists, care and other support staff to provide
specialised education in all areas of the national curriculum. Our schools are:
John Horniman School, Worthing, Sussex (age 4-11) Meath School, Ottershaw,
Surrey (age 5-12) and Dawn House School, Rainworth, Nottinghamshire (age
5-16).
• A national training programme, which offers a range of courses,
conferences and seminars to teachers and speech and language therapists and
other health and education staff working with children and young people with
speech and language impairment.
For more information please visit the I CAN web site: www.ican.org.uk