Elklan

18/08/2026

Some children answer straight away. Others say "I don't know" and you move on.

It isn't always that they have nothing to say. They might still be working out an answer. They might have the idea but not the words yet. Or answering in front of everyone might feel like a lot.

Two things help, and neither costs anything.

We've put both on a printable card for the staff room, along with three questions worth asking your team in September.

Comment CARD and we'll send it over.

11/08/2026

Sometimes the answer is a shrug.

If you work with young children you will know the moment. You ask a question, and you get "I don't know", or nothing at all.

It usually is not that they have nothing to say.

They may still be working out an answer. They may have the idea but not the words for it yet. Or answering in front of the whole group might just feel like a lot.

Two things that help.

Ask, then count to ten before you say anything else. And offer two possible answers, so there are words to borrow.

We have also turned them into a one page card you can print for the staff room.

Comment CARD and we will send it over by email.

21/07/2026

Every September, we spend a lot of time talking about transition.

We prepare children for new classrooms, new teachers and, for some, new schools. But what about the children who aren't changing schools at all?

One observation has stayed with us: for many children, the biggest transition isn't the building. It's starting again with adults who don't yet know how they communicate.

In our latest article, we explore why relationships may be one of the most important parts of a successful transition, and why the understanding teachers build over a school year is something worth handing over.

Read the full article here:

Every September, children begin learning in a new classroom, but they're not the only ones adjusting. This article explores why the relationships teachers build over time may be one of the most important parts of a successful transition.

08/07/2026

All set up and ready for the Whole Education Summer Conference!

If you’re attending today at the University of Warwick, come and say hello to Henrietta, Charlie and Alison at our stand. We’d love to chat about speech, language and communication, inclusive practice, and ways to build staff confidence in supporting children and young people.

Have a fantastic day, and we hope to see you there!

06/07/2026

📍We'll be at the Whole Education Summer Conference!

We're excited to be attending the Whole Education Summer Conference on 7th and 8th July at the University of Warwick. We'll be attending across both days to listen, learn and connect with leaders who are shaping inclusive practice in their schools and trusts, and exhibiting on the second day.

Our Director and Co-Founder, Henrietta McLachlan, will be there throughout the conference on both days. Whether you're exploring ways to strengthen inclusive practice, build staff confidence in supporting speech, language and communication, or simply want to exchange ideas, she'd love to meet you.

Come and say hello. We look forward to seeing you in Warwick!

03/07/2026

We're all set up and ready for nasen LIVE!

If you're attending today, come and say hello to Alison and Mary-Jo at the Elklan stand. Whether you'd like to chat about speech, language and communication, inclusive practice, or simply share what's working in your setting, they'd love to meet you.

Have a fantastic day, and we hope to see you there!

01/07/2026

When you look back on this school year, who became your setting's go-to person for speech, language and communication?

Perhaps it was the Teaching Assistant who always seemed to know how to adapt their communication so a child could understand and join in.

Or the Early Years Practitioner who shared practical ideas that colleagues started using too.

Maybe it was someone who quietly became a source of advice and encouragement, helping others feel more confident in supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.

These practitioners make a real difference. Not just to individual children and young people, but to the confidence and capability of the whole team.

As you start planning for September, ask yourself one more question.

How are you investing in that person?

The Higher-level Communication Practitioner Award is designed for experienced Teaching Assistants and Early Years Practitioners who are ready to develop their knowledge and confidence, support colleagues and strengthen speech, language and communication provision across their setting.

Many settings secure places before the summer holidays so they're ready to begin in October.

If you're planning professional development for the new academic year, now is the perfect time to book.

Find out more: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0wwFS80

Who comes to mind when you read this?

26/06/2026

📍We'll be at nasen LIVE 2026!

In one week's time, we'll be heading to The Vox in Birmingham to join hundreds of SEND professionals at nasen LIVE.

If you're attending, we'd love for you to stop by our stand and say hello.

Whether you're looking to strengthen communication and language provision across your setting, develop your team's knowledge and confidence in creating communication-friendly, inclusive practice, or simply want to find out more about Elklan, we'd love to chat.

Come and discover:
• Our accredited practitioner training
• The Communication Friendly Settings programme
• The Higher-level Communication Practitioner (HLCP) Award
• Practical resources to support inclusive practice

We're looking forward to meeting familiar faces, making new connections, and talking all things speech, language, communication and inclusion.

Are you attending nasen LIVE?
Let us know below. We'd love to see you there!

15/06/2026

📢 We're exhibiting this Friday!

Join us at the University of Gloucestershire's 'Inclusion Matters: Learning From What Works' SEND and Inclusion Conference and come and say hello to the Elklan team.

This inspiring event brings together teachers, SENDCos, school leaders, ITE tutors and mentors to share practical approaches to inclusive practice and SEND provision.

✨ Keynote speakers
✨ Practical workshops
✨ Networking opportunities
✨ Exhibitors from across the sector

We'll be there throughout the day to chat about speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), demonstrate our training and resources, and discuss how Elklan can support your setting.

📅 Friday 19 June
📍 University of Gloucestershire, City Campus, Gloucester
⏰ 9:00am - 4:00pm

Book your place here: 🔗 https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0w8WfZ0

We look forward to seeing you there!

12/06/2026

Applications for our next Total Training Pack - 0-25s with Complex Needs are closing soon.

If you're a Speech and Language Therapist or Specialist SLCN Advisory Teacher, this is an opportunity to extend your impact beyond your own caseload or setting.

Become an Elklan Tutor and deliver accredited training to practitioners supporting children and young people in special school provision with severe and complex learning needs.

The programme has recently been updated to reflect current neuro-affirming approaches and language, alongside evolving best practice.

You'll receive:
✔ Complete tutor training
✔ Training and learner resources
✔ Access to e-learning content
✔ Ongoing support from the Elklan team
✔ Your first year's tutor licence
✔ The opportunity to access additional Elklan training pathways in the future

📅 Online training starts 26th June 2026 and runs over 4 consecutive afternoons from 2pm to 5pm.

If you've been considering becoming an Elklan Tutor, now is the time to apply.

Comment TTP for the booking link and to find out more.