Trafford’s Speech and Language Therapy Service – an update

1. Trafford’s Speech and Language Therapy Service – an update Nadine Arditti Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist for Service Development April 2013

2. Referral into SLT for EY

3. Speech and Language Therapy Screening Assessments • Refer via a written referral into the department. • Parents can self refer but the information that professionals supply via a written referral is vital in the triaging of referrals. • Referrals are triaged by SLT manager. • Pre school children tend to go to the screening assessment or the Targeted SLT Service.

4. Communication Strategies Groups Monthly groups are held at Timperley Health Centre or Woodsend Clinic. The groups are for parents only. There are groups for language (120 minutes) and dysfluency (stammering) (90 minutes). The groups are informal and interactive and share information with parents on how language develops and how to support children’s speech and language/fluency development. Parents are shown a PowerPoint presentation and videos and are given written materials to support their learning. Unless specified at the screening assessment, children are offered an 8 week telephone review, followed by a 12 week clinic review, if required. Parental feedback has been excellent for the groups. Attendance at the Communication Strategies Groups is the precursor to therapy.

5. Small Talk Small Talk is a short course held at CC which has been planned specifically to address the need for early language support for two year olds who do not achieve the expressive language element of their two year check and who have no other developmental concerns. The group takes place once a week for 6 weeks, each session lasts 90 minutes and is play based. The emphasis is on parents developing supportive language skills, activity ideas and strategies that they can continue at home. Delivery includes the following; the principles of the EYFS, consistent use of Signalong, use of the ECAT monitoring tool and ICAN resources. Small Talk will enable parents to develop a positive early home learning environment. This has the potential to improve outcomes for their child and contribute to readiness for school.

6. Referral into Clinic • Older children or children requiring further assessment or clinic based therapy are transferred directly to their local clinics. • Clinics are now based at: • Timperley Health Centre • Conway Road Health Centre • Partington Health Centre • Seymour Grove Health Centre • Delamere Centre • Woodsend Health Centre

7. Early Years SLT Service For children who present with significant, complex or specific speech, language and communication needs Their needs cannot be met through the community clinic service. The children would benefit from home and nursery visits.

8. Early Years Assessment Groups (EYAG) For children with more complex needs who require further assessment of their speech and language development and would benefit from being assessed in a group setting. The group is run by a Highly Specialist SLT, Children’s Centre teacher and a SLT Support worker. Parents are given a detailed written report following the group and referrals to all relevant agencies are undertaken from the group. The groups were run in the Children’s Centres, however with changes to the CC, the assessments may be done during home and nursery visits.

9. Children with Speech Sound Difficulties Children with speech sound disorders (unusual patterns) will be prioritised. Children with mildly delayed speech sound systems will not be seen for therapy until the final term of reception, If required. There is a strong evidence base to support this. Please continue to refer in children where there are concerns about speech clarity, but please be aware that these children may be discharged with advice.

10. Targeted SLT Service • This is an assessment and engagement service for children who: • Are unlikely to access mainstream services or there is a history of non-attendance at health appointments. • For children who are subject to a multi-agency child protection plan or are deemed a ‘child in need’. • Where there is likely to be a negative impact on the child’s educational, social or emotional wellbeing if the child does not access support for their speech, language and communication needs. • Children will be referred on to the relevant department after initial assessment. • SLT  Jen Davies (please ensure details re the child’s social worker are included)

11. School services • Special schools; Pictor, Delamere, Longford Park, Brentwood, Manor High • Inclusive Nursery – Acre Hall Primary. For children with SLI SLT  Suzanne Pickstone • Small specialist classes; Acre Hall (infant & junior), Moorlands (junior), The Firs (junior), Barton Clough, Wellfield (infants/ Junior) – support pupils/ teaching staff via specialised/ targeted training, individual therapy programmes SLT  Nadine Arditti - juniors (Acre Hall, The Firs, Moorlands), Penny Moran (Barton Clough/ Acre Hall infants), Jennie Fleetwood (Wellfield Infants), Jen Wilson (Wellfield Juniors)

12. School Services • Language Outreach Service – For children with SLI in mainstream SLTs  Debbie Swift & Lucy McGill • PIPS – Partington Inclusion primary Service – SLT Nadine Arditti

13. School Services • School Support Team – support for children with language and communication difficulties that are having a medium-high impact on their learning. The child has been placed at School Action/ Plus on the Code Of Practice or has a Statement of Special Educational Needs. We offer termly visits. SLTs  Eleanor Taylor, Rebecca Myles, Lucy McGill, Nadine Arditti and Penny Moran • ASD Mainstream Service – To provide assessment to support in the diagnosis of ASD as part of a multi-professional team (neurodevelopmental pathway), or for intervention with children already diagnosed SLTs Mali Rashidi (primary), Christine Suddons (secondary)

14. Language Outreach Moderation • A moderation panel meets usually every half term to discuss pupils and the support that has been requested. • SLTs form part of the panel with other professionals such as Educational Psychologists.

15. LO Moderation Paperwork • SLTs and schools complete the request for Language Outreach support (www.traffordlearning.org) • Include the SEN criteria checklist for speech and language difficulties at SA+ • Include additional evidence from the SLT and school which indicates the child has a severe/complex speech and language difficulty with strengths in areas of thinking and development which do not require language.

16. GPs SLT will only accept referrals for children with Trafford GPs. School aged children who live in and attend a school in Trafford, but have a Manchester GP, should be referred to Manchester SLT department for assessment. Trafford SLT department then has a service level agreement with Manchester SLT Department in which Trafford will provide therapy.

17. How to refer • CYPS Complex and Additional Needs Team SLT Department Cherry Manor Centre Cherry Lane Sale Cheshire M33 4GY 0161 912 2592 • Need pupil’s details (DoB, address) with signed parental consent. • Referral form can be accessed on the Trafford learning website; http://www.traffordlearning.org/trafford/Sections/public_html/Teaching/sen/TraffordSLTpage.htm along with pre-referral questionnaires

18. Commissioning • Additional SLT time can be commissioned directly from Trafford’s Speech and Language Therapy service for specific project if schools wish to buy this in. Please contact Nadine Arditti, Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist to discuss; nadine.arditti@trafford.nhs.uk 0161 912 2592 Cherry Manor Centre