FAQs about the Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) Service for Norfolk and Waveney
Norfolk County Council and the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups for Norwich, North, South and West Norfolk have jointly commissioned East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) to deliver the SaLT service for children and young people aged 0-19 in the county of Norfolk. HealthEast, the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for Great Yarmouth & Waveney, commissions ECCH to provide the SaLT service for children living in both the Great Yarmouth and Waveney boroughs.
The service currently provided has been designed based on information and views gathered by the commissioners during consultation with parent groups, children’s centre networks, children and schools, and is in line with recommendations backed by a government-led investigation into how best to support children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and eating and drinking difficulties.
Q. What are the benefits of this model?
A. The model of care is based on the principle that ‘Communication is everyone’s business’. As well as advising parents/carers and staff working directly with individual children and young people, we offer training to practitioners and staff in Early Years settings, schools and the wider community (including parents) in how best to support children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. The aim of this is to maximise opportunities to develop their skills (both the communication skills of the children, and the support skills of the key adults working with them).
Q. What will training consist of?
A. Training will be provided by ECCH specialists based on local need and as requested. Individuals and settings can choose modules which relate to areas of communication development or specific speech, language and communication difficulties or eating and drinking difficulties. Please see training information on the website, or email or more information.
Q. Where will my child be seen?
A. Your child may be seen at home, nursery or school (whichever is felt to be most appropriate for the individual). Very occasionally children and young people are offered clinic appointments but evidence shows that in most cases it is more beneficial for them to be supported in familiar environments, where they feel more comfortable. If a child is attending a nursery or school it is most likely that they will be seen there so that there can be liaison and joint working with support staff.
Q. Who will work with my child?
A. Under the model the aim is for the main adults who work with your child on a regular basis to be able to actively support their individual speech/language/communication needs, so your child gets appropriate help all of the time. If needed, they will also be supported by, and have access to, a Speech and Language Therapist or Speech and Language Therapy Clinical Support Worker if needed, while they are on the SaLT caseload.
Q. What sort of help will my child get?
A. Sometimes information-gathering/assessment and advice is all that is needed – this can happen at drop-ins (for pre-school children), via our telephone triage service, or through direct assessments. If more is needed, we offer either a consultative package (which involves giving advice, modelling and strategies following assessment), or a therapeutic package (which involves giving some direct intervention as well as assessment and advice, for a specified period).
Q. If my child needs therapy, how often will they be seen?
A. This will depend on their level of need. We will discuss this with you.
Q. Will my child stay on the SaLT caseload for as long as they need support?
A. Not necessarily – most children are discharged following a consultative or therapeutic package of care, with guidelines to parents and key adults about re-referral once they have met targets set by the therapist, or if their needs change; only children with more specific therapeutic needs will stay on the caseload for longer periods.
Q. My child has an EHCP. Does this make a difference to the service they receive from the SaLT team?
A. It depends what is written in your child’s EHCP with regard to their communication and interaction needs. If a child has a specific speech/language/communication need, a therapist will be asked to contribute to their EHCP by sending in a report with information and recommendations about provision and outcomes. Needs are reviewed on an annual basis (occasionally more often, if necessary).
Q. How will I contact the service if I need support?
A. You can contact the SaLT service by ringing the East Coast Community Access (ECCA) line on 01493 809977.
If you would like this leaflet in large print, audio cassette, Braille or in a different language please contact Andrea Dawson on 01502445297.