WellComm 2 - a language screening tool for Key Stage 2 children V2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The WellComm Key Stage 2 Screening Tool and Intervention Package: a validity study to compare results from the WellComm Key Stage 2 Screening Tool with those obtained from using a standardized clinical language assessment
IRAS ID
248025
Contact name
Kay Baker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
The WellComm Key Stage 2 screening tool and intervention package is a tool which will be available to professional and non-professional staff working with children aged between 6 years and 11 years. It will enable them to screen children’s language skills and make a judgement as to whether there is a need for` additional support or assessment from within their own setting or from another outside agency. Children are screened using a combination of observation, discussion with the parent or carer and/or education staff and direct testing of items. There will also be an intervention package available which will give advice and resources to staff and families for any children identified with potential language difficulties
It is important that the validity of the tool (i.e. its accuracy in signalling which children have difficulties and those who are developing normally) is investigated to ensure staff are using an accurate tool. This will avoid children who have significant, but potentially hidden, language needs not being identified and therefore not accessing the necessary support as early as possible.
Principle Objective:
To assess whether children, between the ages of 6 years and 11 years, identified as having delayed or normally developing language skills on a standardised assessment (ACE 6-11 – Assessment of Comprehension and Expression), are identified as having significant speech and language needs or no difficulties respectively on the WellComm Key Stage 2 Screening Tool.The need for this tool as a screening tool for children aged between 6 and 11 came from a request from the publishers of the existing WellComm (for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years) who had conducted market research, focus groups and a scoping exercise with local SENCOs.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0150
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion