Speech and Language Therapy FAQs - Cornwall Foundation Trust

What is the Cornwall Children’s Speech and Language Service?
This is a service that helps children in Cornwall aged 0-19 years who have difficulty with:
• understanding what is said to them
• expressing themselves
• talking clearly (saying speech sounds)
• stammering
Speech and Language Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
• swallowing (eating and drinking).
This can include children with delay in learning to talk, speech sound production
difficulties, learning difficulties, cleft palate, stammering, selective mutism, autism, hearing
impairment and physical disabilities. For information about specific diagnoses see:
www.afasic.org.uk/pub.htm#glossary
Our Speech and Language therapists (SLTs) are trained to assess children, and to give
expert advice and we want to work closely with parents/carers as they know the child
better than anyone. Speech and language therapists (SLTs) are registered allied health
professionals.
Where do Speech and Language Therapists work?
They work in local community clinics (sometimes in hospitals, children’s centres or health
centres) and in special preschool and school setting. They may visit children at
nursery/preschool, at school and on some occasions at home .
Every part of Cornwall has one or more community speech and language therapists who
sees all children in that area. Sometimes, if the child has more complex or additional needs
(such as physical, social, emotional or significant educational needs) they will see one of
our preschool or school-age complex needs specialist SLTs for a period of time, in order to
receive more specialist and/or intensive intervention. We also have speech and language
Passionate about our services
cornwallfoundationtrust.nhs.uk

therapists in the learning disabilities team who work in special schools (link to leaflet for
special schools)
How do I refer a child to the Speech and Language Service?
You can contact our helpline on 01208 256290
or email: SLTenquiries@cornwall.nhs.uk for advice if you are not sure whether to make a
referral. You can also use the websites listed below to check what communication skills to
expect at what age, and how you can help. If a full referral is needed, Health visitors,
preschool and school staff and other health professionals can refer a child using the form
on our website as long as they get the parents signed consent. The form must be filled out
fully in order to be accepted (if there is information missing, the form will be returned).
What happens on the first visit?
The therapist will assess the child through play if they are younger and/or carry out simple
child-friendly tests. The therapist will also want to find out about the child by talking to
the parents/carers and possibly other people who work with the child.
What happens next?
The role of the therapist is to work in partnership with parents, nursery and school staff
and other professionals involved, to help children develop their communication skills to
the best of their ability, and reach their potential both educationally and socially.
After a first appointment the therapist will discuss the information with the parents and or
any other people involved, with the parent’s permission. Possible outcomes:
• the therapist may need to see your child again for more assessment or to observe
them communicating in another setting such as school or preschool
• a referral is needed to another specialist because the therapist needs more
information such as a hearing assessment or paediatrician opinion
• an appointment in a few months time to see how the child is progressing. There
may be some activities for parents to carry out in the meantime.
• regular speech and language therapy individually or with children with similar
difficulties. This could be weekly, but may be less often.

• therapy or advice given at the child’s school, nursery or playgroup.
• parent sessions where parents get the opportunity to learn about ways they can
help.
• the therapist may not find a problem, or may feel that the child is likely to progress
spontaneously without extra help from the service.
Whatever the outcome, you will receive a brief written report to summarise the
results of the assessment, recommendations and any further plans.
If the child does need ongoing support the SLT will develop an appropriate intervention
package working closely with the child to help address their communication or feeding
needs within their everyday life.
What training is available for people who work with children with speech, language and
communication needs?
There are many training packages that can be purchased by settings for their staff relating
to all ages of children and for all levels of speech, language and communication needs.
There are also training sessions offered within the county that places can be purchased for.
For more details on any of these options please contact the central office number for SLT
on 01208 256290.
How do I get more Speech and Language Therapy?
If settings or individuals are interested in commissioning an enhanced level of support
please email your request to sltenquiries@cornwall.nhs.uk and someone from the
department will contact you.
Why are some children in my child's class seen more often than my child?
Your SLT will decide on the best way to support your child's speech and language needs.
This may involve working directly with him or her, or by working with you and other
professionals to deliver any therapy or strategies. These different ways of working will
mean that some children are for example seen weekly and others are seen fortnightly,
monthly, half termly or even termly.

There is also a small highly specialist team of Speech and language Therapists-The
Communication Support Service, who provide a high level of support for a fixed period for
children with the most complex communication difficulties in a mainstream setting. They
work closely with the community SLT service to make sure the right children are receiving
this level of service.
Useful links:
There is lots of very useful information about speech and language development,
difficulties and how to help on the following websites, which we highly recommend:
Talking Point: www.talkingpoint.org.uk (developed for parents, and professionals –
information and ideas for developmental levels and how to help).
Speech Therapy Advice: www.mommyspeechtherapy.com/ (speech and language support
from a parent’s perspective)
Afaisic: www.afasic.org (parent support group and information)
The Communication Trust: www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/ (advice and support)
ICAN: www.ican.org.uk (charity that helps children with speech, language and
communication needs with good links for parents and professionals)
British Stammering Association: www.stammering.org (for information and advice about
stuttering)
Other options:
If you cannot find the information you need online, you can contact the Cornwall Speech
and Language Therapy Department by emailing on: SLTenquiries@cornwall.nhs.uk
Or you can ring our Helpline on 01208 256290 where you can use the ‘call back’ service.