Speach and Language Therapy (SALT) - Meetings, agendas, and ...

6. Key issues
6.1 Caseload and waiting lists
At present demand outstrips supply. Comparisons over time and with other
services lead to the inevitable conclusion that staffing establishments are
inadequate. One of the most dramatic shortfalls is in secondary schools
where there is essentially no service. Waiting times are excessive. Following
detailed audits the limitations of the Speech and Language have been
described by successive NHS bodies, initially the Barking and Havering
Health Authority and subsequently the Barking and Dagenham Primary Care
Trust. At a national level the effectiveness of speech and language therapy
has been published. At a local level the need for an increased and enhanced
service is clearly established.
It is recommended that the Director of Public Health of Barking and
Dagenham confirms the need for increased speech and language
therapy services for children as a matter of urgency.
6.2 Communication and involvement of parents
During the visits and at the stakeholder meetings it was possible to assess
some of the problems facing children and their parents. The impression was
given that not enough information was given to parents. For example, parents
might not even know the name of the therapist. Parents appreciated that front
line staff tried to their uppermost to deliver a high quality service but they were
hampered by insufficient numbers of therapists. Many commented that they
would be interested in more involvement in the management of their child’s
speech and language problem and that they would be willing to attend training
courses if these were available. Extra support for parents is needed and this
could include training as well as setting up groups. Information is needed so
that parents know what to expect at the visits. They need access to resource
‘library’. Parents need to be included in therapy sessions to ensure carryover
and generalisation at home and other social situations outside of school.
It is recommended that more resources should be targeted at parents.
These should include training, support and the provision of materials.
6.3 SEN statementing issues
This was a significant area of complaint. The statements themselves took a
long time to complete but the real problem was that children who were
statemented with speech and language as their principal problem and those
where it was a secondary problem were not getting the service that the
statement required. There were many cases where private funds had been
used to provide assessment, treatment and care when the NHS and the local
authority had failed. There is a question of legal liability for cost of treatment
of statemented children in cases where it is written into Part 3 of the
child's Statement of Special Educational Needs as an "educational provision",
and whether parents have a case for reimbursement. Camden is one London
Borough that has budgeted for reimbursement of private care if the local
services have not been able to comply with the statement.
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