There are a variety of ways in which we work.  Please click on the links below to find out more:

Preschool drop-in

The drop-in service is open to any parent or legal guardian of a child who has not yet started Reception class, who is concerned about their child’s speech and/or language development.

What happens at the Preschool drop-in?

When you arrive you will be asked to register. You may have to wait a short time whilst people who arrived before you are seen. You and your child will be seen individually in a room set up for children to play. You will be asked about your child’s communication skills and development. The Speech and Language Therapist will then observe your child during play and discuss these observations with you. We will then help you decide whether your child needs further support.

What happens after the Preschool drop-in?

• You may be offered advice and strategies which you can use at home to support your child’s speech and language development.  It may be suggested that you return to the drop-in following an agreed period of time.
• Your child may be offered a place in a group that you can attend together, aimed at supporting their language development, such as ‘Chatterbox’.
• Your child may be offered ‘Early Interaction and Advice Sessions’ to support the development of their early communication skills.

Early Years Project

It may be agreed to refer your child into the Community Clinic so that we can assess their strengths and difficulties further.

We may suggest a referral onto the Community Paediatrician for a further assessment of your child’s overall development.

Community Clinics

Your child may be offered an appointment at one of our Community Clinics if it is felt that a more comprehensive assessment of their speech, language and communication skills is required; for preschool or school-aged children.

What happens at the appointment?

It is often useful to gain an understanding of a child’s overall development, and so it is likely that we will ask parents questions to help us obtain this information.  Throughout the appointment, we will be using a range of techniques (depending on the developmental age and needs of the child), to assess their current speech, language and communication strengths and difficulties.  We may use play, observation, or any number of more formal speech and language assessments, to get to know your child.

What happens after the appointment?

• We may provide you with some advice and strategies to support your child’s speech, language and communication develop at home, without needing to come back for another appointment.
• We may provide a detailed programme of activities to be carried out at home or in school which would then be reviewed in an agreed time, by your speech and language therapist.
• It may decided that your child would benefit from some therapy sessions to work on specific targets, with either a speech and language therapist or speech and language therapy assistant, in clinic, in school, or at home.
• We may discuss a referral on to another professional if we feel that your child has any other additional needs that would benefit from assessment.

Social Communication assessment

We may be asked to carry out a detailed assessment of your child’s social communication skills, usually if this has been identified as a concern between you (parent / carer) and one of our Community Paediatricians.

What happens at the appointment?

• Sometimes we will arrange to see your child at home or in their school / nursery setting, so that we can observe and assess their social and communication skills in a setting that your child is comfortable and familiar with.  We will gather further information from you and others that know them well, about their communication skills, and we may carry out assessments through play and other activities.
• Sometimes we will see your child as part of a team assessment (STAARS) which might include any combination of people including a Consultant Paediatrician, Clinical Psychologist, Specialist Health Visitor, and a representative from a local charity.  You may also choose to invite somebody who knows your child well from school or preschool.  During the assessment we will be observing your child’s communication using a range of play based and more structured assessments.

What happens after the appointment?

• We may provide you with some advice and strategies to support your child’s speech, language and communication develop at home, without needing to come back for another appointment.
• We may provide a detailed programme of activities to be carried out at home or in school which would then be reviewed in an agreed time, by your speech and language therapist.
• It may be decided that your child would benefit from some therapy sessions to work on specific targets, with either a speech and language therapist or speech and language therapy assistant, in clinic, in school, or at home.
• We may discuss a referral on to another professional if we feel that your child has any other additional needs that would benefit from assessment.
• We may need to liaise with colleagues from the education team, or your child’s school / preschool.

Complex Needs

You will be referred to us by the community paediatrician or the hospital doctors. You might already know the occupational therapists and the physiotherapists and they will work with us.

What happens at the appointment?

• You may be seen at a clinic or in your home. The speech and language therapist might visit alone or with the occupational therapist or physiotherapist
• We may arrange to see your child at home or in their school / nursery setting, so that we can observe and assess their language and communication skills in a setting that your child is comfortable and familiar with.  We will gather further information from you and others that know them well, about their communication skills, and we may carry out assessments through play and other activities.

What happens after the appointment?

• We may provide you with some advice and strategies to support your child’s speech, language and communication develop at home
• We may provide a detailed programme of activities to be carried out at home or in school which would then be reviewed in an agreed time, by your speech and language therapist.
• It may decided that your child would benefit from some therapy sessions to work on specific targets, with either a speech and language therapist or speech and language therapy assistant, in clinic, in school, or at home.
• We may discuss a referral on to another professional if we feel that your child has any other additional needs that would benefit from assessment.
• We may need to liaise with colleagues from the education team, or your child’s school / preschool.

Hearing Impairment

If your child has a diagnosis following a new born hearing test you will receive a phone call from the speech and language therapist to introduce herself.  She will give you information and contact details so that you can  get in touch when your child is around 8-10 months . You will also hove visits from the Teacher of the Deaf who will also work with the speech and language therapist to decide who is the best person to  work with you and your child.

What happens at the appointment?

• We will arrange to see your child at home or in their school / nursery setting, so that we can observe and assess their language and communication skills in a setting that your child is comfortable and familiar with.  We will gather further information from you and others that know them well, about their communication skills, and we may carry out assessments through play and other activities.

What happens after the appointment?

• We may provide you with some advice and strategies to support your child’s speech, language and communication develop at home
• We may provide a detailed programme of activities to be carried out at home or in school which would then be reviewed in an agreed time, by your speech and language therapist.
• These same targets, and others, might be carried out by the Teacher of the Deaf when she visits
• It may decided that your child would benefit from some therapy sessions to work on specific targets, with either a speech and language therapist or speech and language therapy assistant, in clinic, in school or pre school, or at home.
• We may discuss a referral on to another professional if we feel that your child has any other additional needs that would benefit from assessment.
• We may need to liaise with colleagues from the education team, or your child’s school / preschool.

Feeding and Swallowing Difficulties

If your concern is regarding a child’s feeding or swallowing difficulties, please contact the FAST team on 0300 300 1549