Image of a childing pointing to their mouth

Drop-in sessions

Do you need advice about a child or young person’s speech, language or communication?

We are offering drop-in sessions available:

  • For children ages 18 months to 16 years (no referral needed)
  • For advice and support about speech and language
  • To understand a speech and language care plan or report

Starting 10th September 2025

Every Wednesday, 13:30 - 16:10 (15 minute slots) at St George's Health and Wellbeing Hub, 113 Suttons Ln, RM12 6RR.

4 hours free parking (register car at reception)

No sessions on 24th or 31st December 2025.

Drop-in process

  • On arrival you need to sign your child into the next available drop-in slot on the sign-in sheet. There will be a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (SLTA) present to guide you if you have any questions.
  • SLTA will hand you a sheet to gather some extra information (you need to complete this and give it back to the SLTA before your slot). They will also register your child and pass their details to the therapist so they can access your child’s health records.
  • For younger children, the SLTA may note some observations to share with the therapist to support with giving advice.
  • You will need to wait for your turn which could be 20 minutes but could be up to/over an hour.
  • When it’s your turn you will go in to see the therapist who will bring up your child’s records and ask you some questions about your child and what you would currently like advice about. The therapist may complete some observations of your child and/or ask them some questions or do some brief activities with them to get an idea of their speech, language and communication skills. Please note that a full and comprehensive assessment will not be carried out at drop-in.
  • The therapist will provide you with some advice and/or agree what is required next to support your child – this could be a referral to Speech and Language Therapy for further assessment and/or intervention, discharging with advice or a referral to another service.
  • If you are attending for advice on how to work on your child’s current targets, the therapist will use the slot to talk through these targets rather than completing any assessment or observations of your child.
  • You are welcome to make notes of advice given in this session, as we will not send any paperwork after. We may however provide an advice sheets with specific advice and strategies on within that session.
  • Please be aware that your slot with the therapist will be strictly limited to 15 mins to ensure we are able to offer a fair service to all families who attend
  • Following the drop-in, you will be invited to complete a feedback questionnaire – we value your views and would appreciate you taking the time to complete this if able.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

  • Do I need to be referred to come to the drop in? No – you are welcome to attend whether your child (aged 18 months to 16 years) is already known to Speech and Language or not.
  • Do I need to bring my child? Yes, if you would like to speak to us about a new concern which has not yet been assessed by a Speech and Language Therapist you will need to bring you child. However, if your child has already seen a Speech and Language Therapist and you would like advice on how to work on their plan/targets, the child does not have to attend. Please note that we cannot comment on the skills of your child or give new advice regarding your child, without seeing them.
  • What do I need to bring with me? If your child has already been known to Speech and Language Therapy and you would like advice on how to work on their current targets, please bring a copy of these. If your child is not currently known to the service, you do not need to bring anything specific. You may find it useful to bring something to entertain them while you are waiting to be seen.
  • What happens if I arrive too late? The drop-in runs from 13.30-16.10, with 15 mins being allowed for each slot. There will be a sign-in sheet upon arrival and people will be seen on a first come, first served basis. As such, if you arrive after all the slots have been signed into, you will be turned away for that day and invited to return to a future drop-in date (they run weekly).
  • How long will I have to wait? The amount of time you will have to wait will depend on how busy the drop-in is that week and how many people have arrived before you. The drop-in runs from 13.30-16.10, with 15 mins being allowed for each slot. There will be a sign-in sheet upon arrival and people will be seen on a first come, first served basis (in the order they signed into the sheet). Please be prepared that if the drop-in is busy, you may have to wait for an extended time and may wish to bring something to entertain your child in the waiting area during this time.
  • Is this the new way to get my child referred to Speech and Language Therapy now? No, all the usual routes to referral still remain where you know a child aged 2 or above needs full Speech and Language Therapy assessment. Please note that the drop in is for children aged 18 months+, but children can only be referred into speech and language therapy from 2 years. Children in a mainstream Havering school can only be referred by school during referrals meetings. Preschool age children can be referred by the GP, Health Visitor, Nursery, any other professional or parents can self-refer. The drop-in is intended to offer brief advice to parents about whether their child may need a referral to SALT, give some general advice, or support parents whose children already have targets from a Speech and Language Therapist with how to work on these targets.
  • Will an interpreter be available? Unfortunately, we need to book interpreters in advance at set times so are unable to book one for the drop in. You are welcome to bring someone with who is able to interpret. Alternatively, please feel free to use the usual referral routes for a full consultation, where we will then be able to accommodate having an interpreter.
  • Do I need to stay in the waiting room? The SLTA will be able to say how far down the list you are, but will not be able to say exactly what time you will be seen. You are welcome to go to the cafe or walk around the gardens, but if you are not around when you name is called you will miss your slot.