We are working to fulfil the commitment made in “Better Communication”—the speech, language and communication needs action plan—to appoint an effective Communication Champion and form a Communication Council. This week we have openly invited tenders for an organisation to provide support to the Communication Champion and the Communication Council and host the Communication Champion. The deadline for tenders is midday on 15 June 2009 and we expect to complete this procurement exercise by mid-July. More information about this tender is available at:
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/slcnaction
While this tendering exercise is going on, the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department of Health are making arrangements for an agency to run an open recruitment exercise for the Communication Champion. The recruitment exercise is expected to begin before the end of July once it is clear which organisation will host the champion. The champion will be appointed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and Department of Health with the approval of Ministers at the end of this recruitment exercise.