Children's speech and language therapy

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Who are we?

We are a team of Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants who provide a service to children from 0 to 19 years of age (up to 19 years old if in full time education) who have a General Practitioner (GP) registered within the Wakefield area.

Our Speech and Language Therapy team aim to provide advice, help and support for children and young people who have difficulties with speech, language, communication and swallowing.

What do we do?

We support children and young people to develop their communication skills and reach their potential.

The service provides individualised packages of support which can include specialist assessment, advice, direct intervention, training and demonstration of activities.  

If a child is identified as needing therapy support an episode of care will be planned.

You may receive:

  • Advice only
  • Advice/demonstration sessions for parents/school staff
  • Parent Training Sessions
  • Group Interventions
  • 1 to 1 Therapy sessions

There are many children who have speech, language and communication needs. Not all need to have direct intervention from a speech and language therapist, so we often work with parents, schools, early years settings, other professionals and other organisations, to best meet their needs.

Where do we work?

Assessment will take place in the most suitable location for the child or young person’s specific needs which could include:

  • Children’s Centre (Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals)
  • Community Clinic 
  • Family Help Hubs
  • Home
  • Education setting
  • Children’s Ward at Pinderfields Hospital (for inpatients)
  • Remotely via telephone/video consultation.

Universal support

This is support that is available for everyone – you do not need to be referred to the service to access these resources. 

How do I make a referral to Speech and Language Therapy?

Please access our Universal offer before making a referral to the Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service. If you still have concerns following this, a referral to the service can be made.

Referrals can be made by anybody who knows the child well including parents/guardians, health visitors or other health professionals, nurseries or schools. If the child is attending a mainstream primary or secondary school, please discuss your concerns with your Communication Champion or SENCO before submitting a referral.

Children must be registered with a Wakefield GP.  

Children’s Speech and Language Therapy have 2 referral forms:

  1. Communication Needs: Children's SALT Referral Form V1 downloadable (not accessible).pdf [pdf] 246KB
  2. Eating, Drinking and Swallowing Needs: Children's SALT Referral Form Dysphagia downloadable (not accessible).pdf [pdf] 252KB

Please complete the correct form and if you need assessment for both areas of need, then you must complete both referral forms.

All referrals are triaged against the service criteria by a Speech and Language Therapist and are not automatically accepted. The referrer will be informed of the outcome in writing.

Criteria for referral can be found in the forms, checklist and screen below. 

If you have concerns about a child who is experiencing anxiety around talking or traits of potential Selective Mutism, please find below a link to Selective Mutism Information & Research Association (SMIRA) for useful information and resources that may help you and those in regular contact with the child.

We do not offer assessment and intervention where this is the only concern. A referral to mental health services may need to be considered.

All referrals must be made via the forms below and fully completed with parental consent. Incomplete forms may be returned to the re-referrer. 

For communication referrals, please also complete the Speech Screen and Checklist at the age relevant to the child. Referrals sent without these may not be accepted.  

Referral Documents

Please click on the button for a copy of the referral form. Please look at the referral criteria before completing.


 link to download referral form


Return completed forms to: Children’s Speech and Language Therapy, Children’s Therapy Service, Featherstone Health Centre, Victoria Street, Featherstone WF7 5EZ
Email: myh-tr.mychildrenstherapy@nhs.net
Telephone: 01977 465417

 

Where can I find useful information?