Accreditation for schools and settings

The Balanced System: Scheme for schools and settings® accreditation

Scheme for Schools and Settings® is the licenced accreditation scheme which uses the Balanced System® outcomes framework. It enables schools and settings to develop a systematic approach to improving outcomes for children and young people with SLCN.

The scheme provides schools with a clear development pathway for improving provision for speech, language and communication, with tools to help audit existing good practice, identify gaps in provision, plan against identified outcomes and then implement their development programme.

The scheme typically takes 12 to 18 months and includes local mentor support, access to local networks and communities of practice as well as the opportunity to gain national recognition through the Balanced System® accreditation.

Following successful accreditation, schools and settings hold the licence for a further 3 years giving them continued access to online tools and local mentor support to ensure good practice continues to develop and can be maintained over time.

For more information about the Balanced System Schools and Settings® visit What is it?: The Balanced System® or watch this video from our Celebration Event to hear what schools and settings say about the accreditation.

This map of schools and settings shows those who are working towards accreditation and those who have achieved it, including some schools and settings who achieved Centre of Excellence status.

For any schools or EY settings in Kent wishing to gain an award for their speech, language and communication provision, Better Communication CIC can offer a 50% reduction on a Licence, at a cost of £1000 exc. VAT.

Please contact SLCN@kent.gov.uk to register your interest.