Words First Ltd

24/03/2026

Last Friday, our teams came together for an evening of team socials.

From paint and sip to relaxed dinners, each team created their own version of the night. Across the evening, there was everything from darts at Flight Club, shuffleboard in Kings Cross, and games at Fairgame, to mini golf at Puttshack followed by dinner at Bill’s.

Others headed out for dinner at Market Halls and a visit to the Twist Museum, took on escape rooms after pizza at Enigma Quest, or kept things creative with a paint and sip session at Art Social Club.

Time like this helps keep our teams connected and makes a real difference to how we work together day to day.

Here are some of the highlights, you can see even more in our gallery: https://wordsfirst.uk/2026-2/

21/03/2026

🌈 Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026 at Words First 🌈

At Words First, Neurodiversity Celebration Week is not just a moment in the calendar.

It reflects the work we do every day.

As an interdisciplinary team of Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Educational Psychologists, supporting neurodivergent children and young people sits at the centre of our practice. This week has been an opportunity to come together, share expertise, and continue learning from one another across our Clinical Pathways.

Here’s what we’ve been exploring across the team:

🗣️ Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
Sharing knowledge around a common but often under-identified need, with practical strategies to support understanding and communication across home and school environments.

🤸 Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) + Sensory Processing
Bringing together OT and wider team perspectives to support recognition of motor and sensory differences, and how these impact participation in everyday school life.

📖 Dyslexia
Focusing on identifying early markers, challenging misconceptions, and embedding supportive strategies within classroom practice.

⚡ ADHD
Exploring co-occurring needs, sharing practical tools for schools and families, and strengthening whole-school approaches to support.

🧠 Autism
Sharing key insights, practical resources, and building understanding around lived experiences, including masking and under-identification.

What has stood out most this week is the strength of interdisciplinary practice.

When Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Educational Psychologists work together, we build a fuller understanding of each child and create more joined-up, effective support.

That shared knowledge, collaboration, and consistency is what makes the difference in schools.

A huge thank you to our highly specialist therapists and wider team for contributing, engaging, and continuing to champion neurodiversity in everything we do.

12/03/2026

Introducing the Words First Speech and Language Therapist Degree Apprenticeship

At Words First we believe the future of the profession depends on investing in the next generation of therapists.

Our new Speech and Language Therapist Degree Apprenticeship has been designed for people who already have experience working in schools and want to build a clinical career supporting children with communication needs.

As an apprentice you will:

•⁠ ⁠Work in schools across London
•⁠ ⁠Learn directly from experienced Speech and Language Therapists
•⁠ ⁠Be part of a multidisciplinary team alongside OTs and Ed Psychs
•⁠ ⁠Complete a recognised university qualification while earning a salary

We are particularly interested in applicants who have worked as Teaching Assistants or Speech and Language Therapy Assistants and want to take the next step in their career.

Our goal is simple: develop confident future therapists who are ready to support children and young people in education.

Applications are now open.

https://words-first-ltd.breezy.hr/p/a032f89e95e501-speech-and-language-therapist-degree-apprentice

03/03/2026

Early start before the sun.

Time in schools catching up with SENCOs and connecting with therapists.

A full Supervisor Day at our Peckham hub focused on strengthening clinical excellence across the team.

Ending the day with shared time over drinks and snacks.

Amanda’s role moves between people, settings, and priorities. From relationships in schools to supporting those who guide clinical practice, each part of the day stays close to the team and the realities of supporting children and young people.

That presence helps keep conversations flowing and ensures ideas, feedback, and clinical insight from across Words First continue to shape what we do.

02/03/2026

Understanding behaviour starts with understanding what sits beneath it.

In our latest Interdisciplinary Spotlight, our SEMH SaLT, June and Senior Ed Psych, Linda explore how the modified Coventry Grid helps teams make sense of behaviour where neurodiversity, attachment and mental health intersect.
Read the full blog here 👇

https://wordsfirst.uk/understanding-neurodiversity-and-mental-health-through-the-modified-coventry-grid/

20/02/2026

Thank you, Sarah, for 9 incredible years at Words First 💛

Our Head of Service, wearer of many hats, and someone who brings so much heart, wisdom, and care to our community.

In this video, Amanda and Sarah look back on how they first met and that early moment when Amanda spotted something truly special.

Finding people whose values align has shaped Words First from the very start, and we are so thankful Sarah has been part of that journey.

We are endlessly grateful for everything you bring.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/NsXNm7BaXDw

13/02/2026

More children are experiencing lost learning than ever before.

Our new blog looks at the link between neurodiversity, mental health, and school exclusion and why early understanding of communication and regulation needs is key to keeping young people included.

When we see the whole picture, we can support sooner and create safer, more inclusive learning environments.

Read the full blog: https://wordsfirst.uk/neurodiversity-mental-health-and-school-exclusion/

12/02/2026

In 17 years, our team has grown a lot.

What has never changed is our commitment to staying connected.

As our community has expanded, we have been intentional about keeping that close, supportive feel across the team, so that people continue to feel part of a community that is welcoming and collaborative.

Each term we come together for Team Leader Days. These are dedicated spaces to connect, collaborate, share ideas, develop clinically, and strengthen the relationships that support our work in schools.

Here are a few highlights from this term’s Team Leader Days 💛

05/02/2026

Last week, we celebrated our very first SENCO Celebration Week 💛

It was a chance to say thank you to the therapists we work alongside and to the SENCOs who juggle so many responsibilities every day, all while keeping children at the centre of what they do.

These photos capture just a few highlights from the week, moments of collaboration, connection, and shared commitment in schools.

If you would like to join in next time, SENCO Celebration Week will take place every January during the final week of the month. All you need to do is use the hashtag and do something special to celebrate the SENCO in your life.

We already cannot wait to celebrate these outstanding professionals again next year.

04/02/2026

New Starter Social 💜

A walk along the Thames from Blackfriars, dinner and drinks at The Anchor, and a room full of new faces and familiar ones.

Some of our team joined a few months ago, others have just started. Different professions, different countries, different levels of experience, all sharing stories, laughs, and good food.

Building real connection as a team strengthens collaboration day to day, which supports the best outcomes for the children and young people at the centre of everything we do.

31/01/2026

So excited to see our Senco Celebration week gain traction and reach the people who deserve it the most!

Thank you so much to Chanel from our Occupational Therapy partners Words First Ltd who brightened our Assistant Principal SENCO Brooke’s day with surprise goodies! ❤️

These were sent to commemorate their newly launched SENCO Celebration Week, recognising all the amazing work that people like Brooke do to support children and young people with SEND to thrive in their education.

30/01/2026

We’re wrapping up SENCO Celebration Week where it matters most: in schools, spending time with SENCOs.

This morning, Amanda, our Founder and Director, visited schools to sit down with SENCOs and talk openly about what’s working well and where we can do better together.

We hope our first SENCO Celebration Week has shown just how much SENCOs hold together every single day. We feel truly honoured to work alongside such dedicated professionals as they support children and young people in their schools.

Thank you to Jamie at Aurora Chaldon, Chanel and Ruth at City Heights E-ACT Academy for hosting us this morning, and thank you to all SENCOs for everything you do. 💛