A TOP team of council workers who help youngsters struggling with speech and language skills have scooped two prestigious awards.

Reading Borough Council’s Children’s Commissioning Team has been honoured by judges at the Shine a Light awards for its outstanding record in supplying speech and language services for children aged up to five. At the glittering ceremony in London, the team picked up the Commissioning Award for the second year in a row and the Pearson Outstanding Achievement Award.

The awards earlier this month recognised the work the team has done to cut the number of children being identified as at risk of speech and language delay by nearly 50% in the last academic year.

Reading’s children’s services leader, Cllr Jan Gavin, described the success as a “magnigicant achievement”, and added: “It is exactly this sort of work which makes a real difference to children’s lives and I’d like to congratulate all staff involved.”

As part of its work the team developed a communication pack for parents and professionals, distributing it to all 13 children’s centres and 35 early years settings across the borough.

Anne Fox, director of The Communication Trust, said: “At a time where health and SEN services are going through significant reforms, Reading Borough Council’s success focuses attention on what can be achieved through commitment, joint working, tenacity and effective use of data and research. Their important work will help to motivate and inspire others.”