What do the terms universal, enhanced, specialist and extension stages mean?

The Speech, Language and Communication Framework outlines competences across four different stages: Universal, Enhanced, Specialist and Extension.

Universal stage is an initial level of competence, where a good awareness of a range of areas is aimed for. The universal stage sets out competences for all practitioners who work with children and young people.

The enhanced stage assumes competences demonstrated at universal stage. It is aimed at ensuring knowledge, understanding and application across all the strands of the framework. The competences at this stage have a great relevance for any practitioner likely to work with children and young people with additional speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) or who have a key role in developing the speech, language and communication needs of children and young people.

The specialist stage assumes competences demonstrated at enhanced stage. It sets out the need for detailed, in-depth knowledge, understanding and application across the framework. The competences at this stage are relevant for any practitioner whose work significantly relates to children and young people with SLCN and who have a key role in identification, assessment and supporting other practitioners in their work.

The extension stage has yet to be completed but it will outline the specialised learning around SLCN at a postgraduate level.