Your child’s Speech and Language Therapy journey
What happens once my child has been referred?
Your child’s referral will be looked at (triaged) by a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist who will identify whether they require input from our service at this time. If we don’t have enough information, we may contact you or the referrer to gather further details. Without this information your referral may be rejected.
Possible outcomes of triage:
- Accepted and placed onto the most appropriate clinical pathway
- More information requested
- Rejected and signposted to a more appropriate service
You and the referrer will receive a letter detailing the outcome of triage.
What happens once my child’s referral has been accepted?
Your child will be placed on a waiting list for the most appropriate clinical pathway identified at triage.
When you reach the top of the waiting list, the next step of your journey with us will be different depending on your child’s:
- Age
- Needs
- Clinical pathway
This could be a phone call, attending an online workshop and/or being seen at clinic.
You and your referrer may receive a phone call or be sent a letter with information about this next stage. If we don’t receive a response from you by the timeframe specified in the letter, we will assume your child no longer needs support from us and they will be discharged.
How will my child be assessed?
If we feel your child needs a face-to-face assessment a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist will initially assess your child’s speech, language and communication skills in clinic.
Assessment will likely include:
- A discussion with you, your child/young person and those that know your child best about their current skills, hopes and difficulties
- Observing your child’s communication through play or conversation
- Formal assessment, if appropriate
- Observing your child eating or drinking, if required
During the assessment we will discuss with you appropriate next steps.
What will my child’s support look like?
We see children in “episodes of care”.
Episodes of care are targeted or specialist packages that support your child and focus on an agreed goal or set of outcomes. During your child’s episode of care, they may move between our packages depending upon their needs. The length of time your child’s episode of care remains open will depend on a range of factors.
We know that the most effective support comes from those who spend time with your child on a regular basis such as families and education staff. Therefore, our role is to empower these “communication partners” to support your child all day every day.
Whether your child is on a specialist or targeted package will depend on their current need.
When will my child’s episode of care close?
Your child’s episode of care will close when:
- everyone in a child’s/young person’s environment feels confident knowing how to follow the advice and carry out the recommended activities
- their needs can be met through “universal” support.
Universal support is available for all children and young people. This support is not led by a Speech and Language Therapist. However, we may signpost to relevant resources, advice and other professionals if appropriate.
If a child or young person’s needs change, we may see you again for another episode of care focusing on a new goal or set of outcomes.
What if I still have concerns about my child?
Re-referrals will be prioritised if strategies previously advised are being consistently used at home and/or in education and one or more of the following apply:
- Participation in setting / classroom / social situations has reduced due to their communication differences or difficulties
- There are new communication differences or difficulties
- There are changes in the child’s readiness for therapy (e.g., attention and listening has improved)
- There are new eating, drinking and/or swallowing difficulties
If you would like to re-refer, please email: Oxonchildrens.Therapies@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
Useful links
Page last reviewed: 9 September, 2024