This article has been brought to you by Slough Borough Council on behalf of CYPIT East Early Years SALT Operational Lead, Speech and Language Therapist, Aoifa Dunne, for the attention of all Early Years and Childcare Practitioners.
There will be some changes to the Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Service.
Let’s talk! The Early Years Speech and Language Therapy service in Berkshire is changing. We are adapting the way we work so that, if a family has a Berkshire GP, they can call us and speak to a Speech and Language Therapist to discuss any concerns about their pre-schooler's communication. This phone line is also for practitioners who would like to discuss communication concerns. Our phone lines will be open from 9:00 - 15:30 on a Tuesday and Thursday, starting Tuesday 9 January 2024. Many issues can be helped by talking, so let’s talk!
In preparation for this change, as of 22nd December 2023 the online referral form will no longer be needed to access Early Years Speech and Language Therapy Service. Please do not complete a referral form. Instead we encourage you to contact our enquiries line to discuss your concerns with a Speech and Language Therapist when the lines open from the 9th January 2024.
NB: The referral method for eating and drinking concerns for children with complex needs remains the same.
As ever, if families/others are concerned about a child's communication, there are resources which are consistently available and should be used as a first port of call:
- The Early Years online language development workshops. Three workshops are currently available with more to be added. These are run live, online by Speech and Language Therapists to provide families/practitioners with everyday strategies they can use. There is also an interactive question and answer session. More information about these can be found under the "Early Language Development Online Workshops" Tab here: Speech and Language Therapy | Children Young People and Families Online Resource (berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk)
- Online Advice Pages. Here you will find all sorts of advice on many different issues that might affect your child’s communication. Health and Development | Children Young People and Families Online Resource (berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk)
- Early Years Information Pack. Every early years setting in Berkshire will have access to this pack which contains further advice and strategies on a range of topics. The 2nd edition of this will be circulated shortly so watch this space!
