Speech and Language Therapy Service

What our service does

Our main purpose is to support children’s fluency, speech, language, communication skills and feeding difficulties, by working with parents, carers and key professionals to provide timely assessment, therapy and advice.

Most commonly children are seen for short blocks of therapy or monthly appointments, and many receive speech and language therapy support from this service until they start school. The amount of speech and language therapy will depend on each child’s specific needs and is always discussed with parents/carers. 

Back to top

Where the service is located and the areas it covers

We provide a service across the whole of Haringey and we see children in the most appropriate place. This may be in their home, nursery, children’s centre or a local clinic.

The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service is a free service provided in all maintained primary and secondary schools in Haringey.

• Speech and Language Therapy (Haringey Children's Service) - Whittington Health NHS Trust (external link)

Back to top

Who our service provides for

The Early Years Service is provided for children from who have language delay, dysfluency, a medical condition or developmental delay affecting their communication or feeding. E.g. Downs Syndrome, Autism from the age of 6 months until starting reception class at school.

When children reach school age, we provide a service to all children in school with speech, language and communication needs up to the end of Key Stage 1. In addition, we see children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of Special Educational Needs which includes speech and language therapy up to the end of Year 11 in secondary school.

Back to top

How a child or young person can start using the service

Referrals can be made directly by parents/carers or by professionals provided they have permission from the parent/carer.

Children referred to the Early Years Service are generally seen within 6 weeks for an assessment. Therapy is then provided as appropriate. There may be a short wait for specific groups in the community clinics. 

Children who are school aged and meet the eligibility criteria are generally seen for assessment in the term after they are referred and therapy is then provided as appropriate.

Some schools have decided to buy in extra Speech and Language Therapy time using money from their own budget so that particular children that they have identified can receive

The service is provided by the NHS and is free.

Back to top

How decisions are made about eligibility for our service

Decisions about eligibility criteria are made jointly with the service commissioners (the organisations that pay for the service) which include Haringey SEN department, NHS Commissioners and some schools that buy in extra SLT time.

Decisions about whether a child needs speech and language therapy will be made in consultation with the parent/carer. If therapy is not needed, the reasons for this will be fully discussed.

Back to top

How we communicate with service users and how they are involved in decision making/planning

The service communicates with parents about their child’s progress through a wide range of means including:

• Face to face contact
• Letters and reports
• Phone calls and email
• Team Around the Child meetings
• Meetings at school including IEP’s and Annual Reviews
• Makaton training is available for parents/carers

We have an advice line for parents on 020 3224 4399. We use interpreters when needed.

We use questionnaires and verbal feedback to look at the views of parents/carers.

Back to top

How accessible our service is

The sites that speech and language therapists work in are either NHS or Local Authority buildings which comply with Disability Discrimination Act regulations.

Back to top

Training our staff have had in supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities

All our speech and language therapists are trained to graduate level and are registered with a professional body called the Health and Care Professions Council. They receive regular training to ensure their knowledge remains up to date.

Back to top

Who a service user should contact if they want to raise a concern or complain about something

A service user who wishes to raise a concern or complain about something can contact:

Cheryl Yeates and Liz Alsford, Operational Managers, Speech and Language Therapy
Email: Liz.alsford@nhs.net or c.yeates@nhs.net
Telephone: 020 3224 4399

Back to top

Who a parent carer/young person can contact for further information

If a child is already known to the service, they should contact their named therapist.

If a child is not known to us, the parents can ring the advice line 020 3224 4399.

Back to top