Children’s Speech & Language Therapy

Nurturing Communication and Language Development in Children

Introduction

Our Children’s Speech & Language Therapy Service provides comprehensive support for pre-school and primary-school aged children experiencing a variety of speech, language, and communication challenges. This includes support for children with autistic-spectrum disorders, hearing impairments, fluency disorders like stammering and stuttering, feeding difficulties, cleft palate, voice issues, and language difficulties of neurological origin.

What We Offer

Our therapists are skilled in:

• Assessing speech, language, and communication development and difficulties.
• Diagnosing and developing tailored intervention plans.
• Supporting families and carers in implementing these plans.
• Advising on equipment and running the orthotics and Lycra service.
• Providing guidance on when treatment is complete and arranging onward referrals if needed.

Our Team

Our dedicated team includes qualified Speech and Language Therapists, Assistants, specialist nursery nurses, and volunteers.

Service Locations

We deliver our services at various locations including Burnham Clinic, Livewell Hub in Braintree, Stapleford House, Crouch Vale Medical Centre, St Peter’s Hospital, Witham Health Centre, Halstead Hospital, special schools, speech and language centres, and mainstream early years settings. Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, subject to change.

Referral Process

Children with eating and/or drinking difficulties can be referred via the Care Coordination Centre or by schools, nurseries, health visitors, social care, or GPs. School-aged children (Year 1-6) are typically referred by their school.

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Team

Children with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) requiring specific therapy can be seen by our SEND team. More information can be found here.

Communication Stations

Our 15-minute Communication Station appointments offer a chance for a Speech and Language Therapist to assess your child’s needs through conversation, observation, and play, ensuring they are on the correct care pathway. From June 2023, you can book same-day appointments between 8-8:30am. Please have your child’s NHS number ready for registration.

Upcoming Communication Station dates and locations:

• Crouch Vale Medical Centre: 29 November PM, 20 December PM, 24 January AM.
• Dengie Family Hub: 18 January AM & PM.
• St Peters Hospital ARU: 23 November AM, 22 December AM, 26 January AM.
• Woodcroft Nursery School: 14 December AM.
• Stapleford House Children’s Centre: 13 November AM, 4 December AM, 8 January AM.
• Tanglewood Nursery School: 11 January PM.
• Great Totham Primary School: 18 December AM.
• Witham Health Centre: 12 December AM, 16 January AM.
• Livewell Hub: 17 November AM & PM, 8 December AM & PM, 12 January AM.
• Halstead Hospital: 1 December AM, 5 January AM.

For pre-booked appointments, please fill out a referral form stating this requirement. There is an up to 18-week wait for pre-booked appointments.

Referrals for Mainstream Schools

We accept referrals for children in years 1-6 with speech, language, and communication needs. Early referrals are advised for stammering/stuttering and selective mutism. Children with voice difficulties should be directed to a GP for ENT referral.

Making a Referral

For a referral, interventions should be carried out for at least one term. If concerns persist, complete our referral form with parental consent and send it to the Provide Care Coordination Centre. SENCOs can discuss referrals by emailing [email protected] for a telephone appointment with a speech and language therapist.

Contact Us

Email: [email protected] (Please avoid including confidential information in emails).

Care Coordination Centre: Call 0300 1310 111, select option 5, then option 1.