Also excited to see a poster from Sunila John on evaluation of language abilities of individuals with schizophrenia. Standard assessment tool wasn't helpful but linguistic analysis of connected speech sample shows promise- good news as have an MSc student planning a study around this #RCSLTCONF2025

@nessa-lloyd.bsky.social has a very natty title for hers 'A modest PRU-posal' looking at service developments to fast track vulnerable students for assessment. An average wait time of just 20 days 👏🏻 #RCSLTCONF2025

It was a good reminder to me not just to be a passive recipient of information!

Finally, Prof Maria Arche talking about the Youth Justice Language COST Action project which now involves 30 countries across Europe raising awareness of communication needs in the criminal justice space youthjusticelanguage.org/about-the-ac... #Slpeeps #RCSLTCONF2025

Fiona Stuart talking about her PhD at Queens University Belfast developing an AI tool to support Police Officers to recognise the best ways to interview an individual with communication needs #Slpeeps #RCSLTConf2025

Three wonderful sessions chaired. Elaine Duddy talked about how she raised the number of completed assessments, increased young people's agency in the Youth Justice Service whilst importantly 'moving at the speed of trust'. #slpeeps #RCSLTConf2025

I agree it has gone quiet and LinkedIn seems busier but I think we need to keep cultivating this space as I think/hope it can become a beautiful space for sharing all things SLP/SLT #SLPeeps

And that's a wrap from beautiful Cardiff and the Vulnerable Accused Criminal Justice System conference #VACJS25

Sandwell are providing a wrap around service for children in Alternative Provisions including SLT to try and provide support to avoid contact with youth justice #VACJS25

Finally Vanessa Lloyd closing the conference- a speech and language therapist closing a criminal justice conference. Communication is central to so much in a justice setting. This makes me very happy 😊 #VACJS25

Now Melanie Jameson talking about dyslexia and what can support dyslexic individuals #VACJS25

...And there are a lot of steps and modifications along the way. Take away - listen to and observe the person closely #VACJS25

But it doesn't have to be that way, sometimes it works. This needs the right people involved early and buy in from all #VACJS25

Tony Bowman from The SOLD Network talking about barriers to justice for vulnerable defendants at every stage of the justice system #VACJS25

Tina presents a case study - 'Darius' - would earlier input be more cost effective as well as the emotional and social impact. Intermediary was not instructed until 4 days before trial #VACJS25

Final session of the conference already. Now, Tina Perreria from the intermediary cooperative talking about the use of intermediaries with the Police #VACJS25

Really need to be careful with restorative justice in prison settings where vulnerability can be dangerous #VACJS25