DST Goals

The DST has been established with the following goals:

• to promote fuller understanding and awareness of dyslexia and specific learning difficulties.
• to enable practitioners to access the best training and expertise to support the needs of individuals with dyslexia or specific learning difficulties.
• to promote best provision in supporting individuals with dyslexia or specific learning difficulties in a timely manner.
• to enable organisations that are promoting improved practice and outcomes for individuals with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties, to work together in ways which build upon and add value to the work in which each of the constituent organisations is already engaged.

It will do this by working to:

• advise government, local authorities and educational establishments on matters pertaining to individuals with dyslexia or specific learning difficulties.
• support appropriate specialist provision throughout education services.
• encourage the development of the teaching and support of individuals with dyslexia or specific learning difficulties at all levels to reach their full potential.
• advance standards in assessment, training and support for individuals with dyslexia or specific learning difficulties.
• commission, support, and collaborate in research into dyslexia and specific learning difficulties and to publish useful results of such research – especially research on achieving best outcomes and progression for children with dyslexia.
• promote effective practice and share information about teaching, training and support for individuals with dyslexia or specific learning difficulties available across the country.
• provide a platform for collaboration to facilitate better service provision across statutory, independent and voluntary sectors, and bring the sectors closer together.
• encourage collaborative working both within and across relevant sectors.
• encourage access to high quality training, consultancy and support of those involved in the education of pupils with dyslexia or specific learning difficulties, exploring ways to raise the quality of services.