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Speech and language therapists work with babies, children and young people who have speech, language, communication and/or eating and drinking needs. Teams include Speech and Language Therapists, SLT Assistants and support staff.
What does our service offer?
- Assessment
- Advice
- Diagnosis-if appropriate
- Therapy – this may be direct (therapist working directly with child) or indirect (therapist working through a parent, carer or other professional)
- Programmes and resources to support work at home and in a setting
- Training: child specific or topic specific
Therapists work in the community in a wide range of settings. These include: family homes, community clinics, hospital, schools, nurseries, children’s centres.
We work in partnership with a range of other agencies including Education and Early Years Services, Social Services and the Voluntary Sector.
Paediatric Speech and language therapists work with babies, children and young people who have complex speech, language, communication, or eating and drinking needs which require specialist input. Many speech, language and communication difficulties do not require specialist level input, and needs can often be met by adapting the curriculum or adjusting communication styles.
The service is delivered mainly through a clinic model. This means children attend an appointment with their parent or carer in a health centre or other clinic base such as a children's centre. However, depending on clinical need there are some children whose needs are met through a flexible approach via their setting, school or home. The need for this is decided by the speech and language therapist following a thorough initial assessment. Therapy is on an individual basis depending on the risk and need of the child.
All children accepted into the Service will have an active target called a 'care aim'. This target will have a time frame and will be reviewed to see if it is met or needs adapting. When the child no longer has a high risk or high need from the Service they will be discharged; this is because their needs are being met at this point. However, if needs change in the future there is open access to re-refer. This enables throughput of children to ensure only those who will benefit most are actively in the Service. If a child's needs are being met by an Independent Practitioner or others then duty of care will be transferred to that individual or team.
We have an 'open referral system' meaning anyone can make a referral to speech and language therapy. All referrers are expected to follow the Staged Pathway Toolkit before referral [Google Docs].
Staged Pathway training dates are available online free of charge.
This model of working ensures all public health messaging and general support is in place and that only the children who need specialist speech and language therapy are referred in to the Service.
Settings and schools have access to a package of training. This is to empower them to work at universal and targeted level. Details of the training offer can be found on the Stoke Speaks Out website.
Anyone can access a wide range of resources via the Stoke Speaks Out website. Parents are advised to visit the site for activity ideas, top tips, and key message of the month. Stoke Speaks Out also signposts to other reliable sources such as the BBC's Tiny Happy People, the Local Offers and Family Hubs across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The service has a robust referral form which enables a clinician to triage the referral. The service operates an opt in system and uses tools for prioritising, goal setting and for measuring outcomes.
What will happen at Speech and Language Therapy?
The speech and language therapist will ask you some questions about your child’s development. It is helpful if you bring your ‘red book’ along and any other referral letters you have had. The therapist may use toys and pictures to encourage your child to interact. They will discuss their findings with you and agree on the next steps.
How to refer to Speech and Language Therapy
A referral can be made by a Health Visitor, teacher, nursery practitioner, G.P., other professional, parent or those with parental responsibility. Please contact your local SLT team for referral advice.
Things to try at home
There are many ways parents and carers can support their child's speech and language development. For children in the early years (aged 0 to 5) the following websites may be helpful:
- Stoke Speaks Out is an initiative set up to support children's speech and language development.
- You can also follow Stoke Speaks Out on Facebook.
- The BBC website Tiny Happy People helps you develop your child's communication skills. They have a selection of simple activities and play ideas to help with early development.
The following links provide information for children with speech, language and communication difficulties:
- The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Information about Infant Dysphagia (difficulty eating, drinking and swallowing)
- Speech and Language UK - the children's communication charity
- The Communication Trust
- BBC Tiny Happy People
- Hungry Little Minds
- Words for Life
- The National Literacy Trust
- Stoke Speaks Out - advice and support for parents, carers and practitioners for children’s speech, language and communication development
- Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Early Years Speech Language and Communication Journey - provides information and advice to support speech, language and communication for parents/carers and practitioners
- Afasic
- Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder
- DLD and Me
- STAMMA (British Stammering Association)
- Michael Palin Centre for Stammering
- Dyspraxia Foundation
- National Autistic Society
- Cleft Lip and Palate Association
- Makaton
- Stoke-on-Trent City Council
- Staffordshire County Council
