Parents/ Carers 

Parents can contact the Speech and Language Therapist by phone or email to refer a child.

After a telephone discussion, an initial consultation or assessment may be advised and arranged.

This usually takes place in the child's home or educational setting, e.g. preschool, day nursery, nursery or school. 

Assessment

An initial assessment/ consultation may include one or more of the following: 

• Listening to your concerns

• A full case history

• Formal/ informal assessment

• Observation during play

• Discussion with parent, teacher or other professionals

• Observation of their interaction with peers

• Verbal advice

• Written report

• Written programme

Therapy

A therapy plan will be agreed with you and the educational staff, where appropriate.  A written programme will be devised clearly outlining the specific goals for your child.  

Therapy may include one or more of the following:

• Direct 1:1 therapy

• Modelling of activities or strategies to the parent/ carer, teacher or other professionals

• Advice and training

• Further assessment (informal or formal) where necessary

• Paired or group therapy

• A home/ school programme

Frequency

• Weekly

• Periodically - once a fortnight or once a month

• Termly - This is a consultative approach. The therapist will monitor and update a home/ school programme and give advice, support and strategies to continue with at home/ school.

It is important that you as parents/ carers and other key people (e.g. educational staff) are actively involved in planning and carrying out therapy plans in order for your child to have the best chance of achieving their goals.  With parental consent the Speech and Language Therapist is able to liaise directly with the child's educational setting, explain and demonstrate activities and send a copy of the child's targets.