Becoming an Elklan Communication Friendly Setting - Primary
Elklan Communication Friendly Setting (CFSe) accreditation is awarded to settings that have trained and support all their staff in communication and language development. They will also have shown evidence of embedding this knowledge in targeted interventions and through the implementation of a Communication Policy.
Accreditation can be achieved in one year and can be renewed after three years. It is the most cost effective strategy available for whole-setting capacity building in communication.CFSe Primary - an overview of the process
Becoming a Communication Friendly Setting involves three elements, each of which can be commissioned separately:- Training Teaching Assistants
- Training the whole setting staff through trained Lead Communication Practitioners
- An audit of the embedding of practices and policies in the setting
Want to know more about how your school or setting can become an accredited Elklan Communication Friendly Setting?
Find out in one of our free webinars!
1. Speech and Language Support for 5-11s![]() Level 3 course (9 credits) |
2. Communication Counts![]() 2 x LCP Level 4 portfolios (10 credits)
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3. Audit and Accreditation![]() |
Video: impact of Elklan CFSe status in Oldham primary schools

Video by Jonathan Davies Photographic
About the stages:
1. Training Teachers and Teaching Assistants
Elklan accredited training programmes
For CFSe status the accredited course Speech and Language Support for 5-11s should be completed at Level 3 by a minimum of two of TAs and two teachers.
Staff who have already completed any of these courses within the 2 years prior to commencing the CFSe process can be counted. However, training more TAs adds to the setting’s capacity and will help to extend the CFSe status after the third year. We encourage settings to consider upskilling all TAs with this accredited training.
The teachers will become Lead Communication Practitioners (LCPs) in the school.
2. Training the whole setting staff through Lead Communication Practitioners
In this element the capacity of the setting is increased as the two Lead Communication Practitioners cascade the relevant Communication Counts training to the whole setting staff. The LCPs (one of whom is the SENCO) are provided with teaching notes, tutoring and resources to facilitate this At the same time they are mentored by an Elklan tutor and complete a Level 4 portfolio. This involves an analysis by the LCPs of the embedding of the training and an evaluation of the impact in the setting on staff practices and pupil learning.
What is taught in Communication Counts?
LCPs cascade the Communication Counts training to ALL staff (teaching, non-teaching, support and administrative) in 5 x 1 hour sessions over 5 half terms to develop and support speech, language and communication throughout the setting. The five sessions taught are:
- What is communication?
- Interaction
- Asking effective questions
- Extending vocabulary
- Developing understanding and ‘Speak Out!’
- Encouraging expressive language and narrative development
Please contact Clare McKee, clare@elklan.co.uk for more information.
The course content has been described by teachers as "high quality teaching in a nutshell". Training ancillary staff in communication strategies enables better behaviour management
Feedback on the impact of whole-school training:














Pricing information
Please contact us for up to date pricing information for your setting.
Register your setting's interest
If your setting wishes to achieve Communication Friendly Setting status, please get in touch.
See also:
- FAQs
- Evaluation Reports:
Using Elklan as a Whole School Approach, Westmorland, September 2018
Communication Friendly Schools LSEF Final Report
Communication Friendly Schools and pupils with EAL - LSEF Report
Building a Communication Friendly School Report 2012/13
Elklan CIC Report : Building a Communication Friendly School (2012-13)
Elklan CIC Report : Building a Communication Friendly School (2011-12)
Elklan CIC Report Summary (2011-12)
CFSc - Summary of Elklan Communication Friendly Schools Report 2011/12
Bridgelea PRU, Impact of CFSe in the school
Elklan at Marlborough Road
Our Elklan Journey - Christ Church CE Primary and Lewis Street Primary