Words First Ltd

Words First Ltd With Experts at Hand our team supports young people to achieve their best. "When you read, you don't just have to decode words, you have to decode LANGUAGE'.

Words First provides integrated Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy , Educational Psychology, Play Therapy & Counselling services to schools across the UK. Words First Ltd offers an innovative service to SEN in mainstream primary and secondary schools through its research-based approach to literacy and language. The Words First assessment battery and intervention cycle allows mainstream pupils access to evidence-based support that identifies the unique deficit in the reading-language circuit. Designed around the needs of mainstream schools, our approach is easily implemented in schools with impact reports every 6 months to show the effectiveness of our intervention. Please visit our website www.wordsfirst.uk for more information.

🏆 SEND Award Winner: Phoenix College Phoenix College is a winner in the category ‘Education and Therapy Teams who work ...
30/09/2026

🏆 SEND Award Winner: Phoenix College

Phoenix College is a winner in the category ‘Education and Therapy Teams who work together to create a positive environment for all pupils’ for its work building an integrated therapy service from the ground up.

Working with Words First Occupational Therapist Louise Andrews and Speech and Language Therapist Luke Murphy, the college embedded OT and SaLT into everyday college life in just 10 weeks. Joint observations, shared planning, staff training and collaboration with families, transport teams and external agencies created consistent support across college, home and the wider community.

The result is increased staff confidence, improved student engagement and a strong, sustainable foundation for multidisciplinary working.

Take a look at the poster to see how Phoenix College and its therapy team brought a shared vision to life. 👏

This year’s WF annual conference showcased outstanding integrated professional practice through our SEND Award Winners E...
23/09/2026

This year’s WF annual conference showcased outstanding integrated professional practice through our SEND Award Winners Exhibition, highlighting 12 schools and settings whose education and therapy teams are transforming support for children and young people with SEND. Twelve projects were selected for their exceptional interprofessional practice, innovation, impact, and alignment with SEND reform.

These winning projects show what’s possible when schools, therapists, families, and wider services work together, combining expertise, sharing ideas, and keeping each learner at the centre.

From whole‑school communication systems and evidence‑based interventions to parent partnerships, real‑life assessment and neuroaffirming environments, each project demonstrates collaboration in action.

Congratulations to our 2026 SEND Award winners:

✨ Phoenix College, with Words First therapists Louise Andrews and Luke Murphy
✨ Lilian Baylis Technology School, with Words First therapists Claire Newby and Cam Dewar
✨ Green Corridor, with Words First therapists Rithvik Tanniru and Kavya Rath
✨ Liberty Vanguard, with Words First therapists Samantha Jashek, Shira Zecharia and Ritu Bhatt
✨ Barking and Dagenham, with Words First therapist Leanne Lampen and multi-agency partners
✨ Chatsworth Primary, with Words First therapists Nicole Ronquillo and Kavya Rath
✨ Chiswick School, with Words First therapists Michelle Lai and Biyelwe Mabuza
✨ Harris Academy Tottenham, with Words First therapists Carly Biggam and Caron Vandecar
✨ Holbeach Primary School, with Words First therapist Bryony Langmaid
✨ The Alton School, with Words First therapist Jenna Thompson
✨ Greatfields Secondary School, with Words First therapist Rosalyn Addai
✨ Ifield School, with Words First therapist Chloe Taylor and the Words First Occupational Therapy Team

Over the next 12 weeks, we will share each winner's story to celebrate the people, partnerships and ideas behind this work.💛

And there was plenty more our team had to say. 💬Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback with us this year. We’re...
17/09/2026

And there was plenty more our team had to say. 💬

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback with us this year. We’re already using it as we start shaping next year’s conference.

There are some exciting ideas and plans beginning to take shape, including opening the conference to a selected group of final-year Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy students for the first time.

We’re looking forward to welcoming future therapists into the Words First community, giving them the opportunity to learn alongside our team, connect across disciplines and get a real feel for what multidisciplinary practice can look like.

The ideas are already flowing for next year, and this is just the beginning. 👀

We love feedback at Words First, and we’re always asking for it. 💬We know that feedback, both the good and the construct...
17/09/2026

We love feedback at Words First, and we’re always asking for it. 💬

We know that feedback, both the good and the constructive, helps us learn, improve and keep creating better experiences for our team.

After last year’s conference, we asked our team what they wanted to see more of. This year, we worked hard to put that feedback into action.

More movement breaks. More opportunities to mix, connect and network with colleagues. More engaging speakers. Truly interactive content across our disciplines. More training opportunities. And yes, even healthier snacks. 😉

The feedback from this year’s conference was overwhelmingly positive, and we loved hearing what our therapists enjoyed most about the experience.

Here are just a few of the things they had to say.

10/09/2026

Day Two of the Words First Annual Conference 💛

We were incredibly lucky to welcome Abdi Omar, award-winning AAC user, disability advocate, entrepreneur and CEO of The Limitless Minds Group UK, as our guest speaker.

Drawing on years of lived experience as an AAC user, Abdi delivered an incredibly inspiring talk that was enjoyed across every discipline. His story and insights sparked so much thought around communication, accessibility and the impact our work can have on the children and young people we support.

Then came the controlled chaos of the annual company photo 📸 Herding the whole team into place is no small task, but seeing everyone together really brought home just how much Words First continues to grow year on year.

From there, we moved into our Therapy Disciplines Learning Hubs, with teams taking part in a series of interactive learning activities, sharing knowledge and developing practice together.

And finally, we finished the conference in the best way, with drinks, nibbles and time together as a team.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this our best conference yet. We have plenty more highlights to share, so stay tuned!

Some moments from our Annual Conference deserve their own spotlight. 💜On Day One, we were incredibly proud to welcome se...
09/09/2026

Some moments from our Annual Conference deserve their own spotlight. 💜

On Day One, we were incredibly proud to welcome senior leaders from both the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) to Words First.

Joining us were:

✨ Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, RCSLT
✨ Victoria Harris, Head of Learning, RCSLT
✨ Karin Orman, Director of Practice, Innovation and Advocacy, RCOT

Their sessions gave our therapists the opportunity to hear directly from leaders within their professional bodies and to connect the work we do every day with the wider direction of Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and SEND.

What made the day particularly special was that the conversations continued long after the presentations ended.

Derek, Victoria and Karin stayed to chat with our team, explore the extensive range of Words First resources on display and learn more about the work happening across our services, including how our multidisciplinary approach aligns with the direction of the SEND reforms.

We were so proud to share more of what happens behind the scenes at Words First, from the resources and approaches developed by our clinical teams to the way our therapists work collaboratively across disciplines to support children, young people and schools.

A huge thank you to Derek, Victoria and Karin for spending Day One with us, for sharing your expertise and for showing such genuine enthusiasm for the work our team is doing.

A very special start to this year’s Words First Annual Conference. 💜

04/09/2026

Day One of the Words First Annual Conference continued after lunch, with our therapists first meeting in their Team Leader groups before visiting the rooms hosting our IDP carousel tables.

They moved between the rooms, exploring the phenomenal range of Words First resources and chatting with our specialists about the interventions and approaches we use to support children and young people.

Our OTs also took part in manual handling training, adding another valuable opportunity for practical learning and development.

There was so much noise, excitement and conversation throughout the afternoon, so thank goodness we had a Calm Zone where therapists could step away and recharge whenever they needed to.

The atmosphere was electric. So many talented professionals sharing their knowledge, asking questions and learning from one another. Wow!

Stay tuned for more highlights from the Words First Annual Conference.

01/09/2026

Last week, we brought the whole Words First team together for our Annual Conference, and what a way to reconnect after the summer holidays!

The morning began with a conference welcome from Amanda, followed by IDP in Action: The Next Chapter of Practice. We also heard from our Research Pathway, who shared the latest research and learning taking place across Words First.

We celebrated the knowledge and expertise within our team through poster presentations from our SEND Award winners and Senior Supervisors, sharing best practice from across education.
We were also delighted to welcome our guest speakers: Derek Munn, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the RCSLT; Victoria Harris, Head of Learning at the RCSLT; and Karin Orman, Director of Practice, Innovation and Advocacy at the RCOT. Their sessions sparked some fantastic conversations, which continued long after the presentations had finished.

After the summer break, it was wonderful to see everyone arriving, catching up and filling the room with that unmistakable Words First conference buzz. There were hugs, happy reunions and conversations happening everywhere, with the energy building from the moment the doors opened.

These are just a few highlights from the morning session. Stay tuned to see more from the Words First Annual Conference!

26/08/2026

Day two of in-person onboarding for our new starters! 🌟

We explored EHCP training, assessments and an overview of the Words First Approach.

Our new starters also met their Team Leads, who introduced themselves and shared some interesting, little-known facts. It was a lovely opportunity for everyone to get to know the people who will be supporting them throughout their journey at Words First.

Next up a day of online learning before we bring the whole Words First team together for our Annual Conference, one of the highlights of our year! 💙

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Croydon
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