This website has a lot of information regarding both typical development and when to consider a referral. We see children and young people with a range of conditions and more information can be found under each section or within the referral page.

If you are unsure, you can always speak to a member of the children’s therapies team. We would always advise discussing with your child’s early years setting  / health visitor or school setting. Professionals requesting advice should remember that we cannot discuss individual named cases unless the child is known to the service, however we can advise regarding whether a referral may be beneficial.

In making a referral we require valuable information about a child or young person’s development in order to decide if the referral meets the service criteria for acceptance.

For your initial assessment appointment, the venue will be determined by the age of the child. For children in which there are concerns regarding early communication development, speech sounds, stammering, feeding / drinking etc they are likely to be seen in a local clinic or multi agency centre. It is expected that parents / carers will attend these appointments. For school aged children with concerns regarding language development they are likely to be seen in their school. The therapist will inform you of where the appointment will be.

The therapist will discuss with the parent / carer their concerns and complete a case history to gain further information (this may have been completed alongside the referral).  Assessment will vary depending on the age / needs of the child and could include all or some of the following; observation through play / observation in the class / informal assessments / standardized and formal assessments  and discussion with the child  / young person. At the end of the assessment you will be provided with feedback and a written summary or report will follow.

The service can arrange for a professional interpreter to be present. We require this person to be booked by our service rather than a family member interpreting. There is a lot of information on speech and language development and bilingualism on or bilingualism page.

Some children may need further sessions focused to support the development of their speech, language and communication. This will be determined by a number of factors such as; area of need; service criteria; child’s motivation.

Your child will be discharged when they no longer need our service / meet the service criteria.  The main reasons (but not all) include;

- The child / young person has achieved the therapy aims and no longer requires intervention

- They no longer meet the service criteria

- Their speech, language and communication needs can be met via universal (everyday) and targeted approaches within the setting

- The family or setting are unable to carry out the activities at that period of time

- The child / young person is not ready or motivated for therapy

- Family have moved out of area or have not attended appointments

Children can be re referred at a later stage if there is evidence of speech and language needing to be involved.

Your child will be discharged when they no longer need our service.  The main reasons (but not all) include;

• The child / young person has achieved the therapy aims and no longer requires intervention
• They no longer meet the service criteria
• Their speech, language and communication needs can be met via universal and targeted approaches within the setting
• The family or setting are unable to carry out the activities at that period of time
• The child / young person is not ready or motivated for therapy
• Family have moved out of area or have not attended appointments

Children can be re referred at a later stage if there is evidence of speech and language needing to be involved.