Communication Champion appointed

The Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls today announced the appointment of Jean Gross as England’s first Communication Champion for children with speech, language and communication needs. The appointment of a Communication Champion was a recommendation in the 2008 Bercow Report on services for children with speech, language and communication needs, and forms part of the government’s Better Communication Action Plan developed in response to the Bercow review.

The Communication Champion, funded jointly by the DCSF and Department of Health, will be responsible for working across Government, delivery partners and other stakeholders to coordinate and build on initiatives to improve services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. The champion will also plan, organise and lead a National Year in 2011 focusing on the importance of developing children’s communication skills.

Speaking about the appointment Ed Balls said:

“Speech, language and communication are crucial to every child’s ability to access and get the most out of education and life. The Champion role is very important and I am delighted to announce Jean Gross’ appointment. Her background and wide experience makes her uniquely qualified for the role. In her current role as Director of the Every Child a Chance charity, she successfully championed effective literacy and numeracy intervention for our lowest achieving, disadvantaged children through the Every Child a Reader and Every Child Counts programmes; we look forward to seeing the same impact in her new role."

For full details, see the DCSF press release.

Last updated: 15/10/09