PAEDIATRIC SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY SERVICE
The Speech and Language Therapists work in a number of different teams including;
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Early Years Community Team working with all pre-school children;
Hearing Impairment Team working with pre-school and school aged children
Autism Team working with pre-school and school aged children and the Autism diagnostic
service; Special Schools team
Joint Communication Team is an integrated Health & Education team working with mainstream
primary and secondary schools; and Specialist resourced provisions.
Youth Offending team
CAN YOUR CHILD ACCESS THIS SERVICE?
The Service is available to children under 4 years who are registered with a Bexley GP.
The service is also for children and young people from 5 years to 19 years who are attending
mainstream Primary, Secondary or Special School in Bexley
Young people aged 16-19 years who have left school may be referred to adult services.
HOW CAN YOUR CHILD BE REFERRED TO THIS SERVICE?
We have an open access policy: Parents can refer their child using the contact details above. Speak to
your GP, Health Visitor or school SENCo. Health professionals, school or nursery staff can refer with
parental agreement. Health and Education refers are asked to complete a referral form and return it to
the address at the foot of this document.
WHERE WILL YOUR CHILD BE SEEN?
Children from birth to 4 years usually come to a health clinic or the Child Development Centre,
Queen Mary’s Hospital. The therapist might also visit nursery, a Children’s Centre, or home if
appropriate.
Children from 5 – 19 years - Most school-age children are seen at school. Some children will have
an appointment at a health clinic or at the Child Development Centre, Queen Mary’s Hospital.
HOW CAN WE HELP YOUR CHILD?
We can help children and young people;
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showing difficulties with speech sounds; understanding language; talking or social
interaction. Speech or language needs which might affect reading and writing, behaviour or
accessing social activities.
children with voice disorders;
stammering;
hearing Impairment;
Autistic Spectrum disorder;
Learning Disability.
children and teenagers returning home for rehabilitation following trauma.
Within the specialist service of Speech & Language Therapy, we offer universal/targeted and
specialist support as outlined below.
UNIVERSAL AND TARGETTED SERVICES
This means the service that is available for whole settings that supports staff to meet the needs of
children’s communication throughout the day.
SPECIALIST SERVICES
This means the service available to your child through a specialist episode of care after a referral
and assessment has taken place
LEARNING/CURRICULUM SUPPORT
This is the support from the service, available for teachers and other staff members to adapt the
curriculum and environment to make sure your child makes the best possible progress in school.
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UNIVERSAL AND TARGETTED SERVICES
Support in Children’s Centres and Nurseries to help develop your child’s communication,
throughout their day. This includes advice and training for parents.
Drop-in clinics
Information and training for nursery
general advice to teachers
Recommending resources
Providing environmental recommendations for specific classes and/or staff
Demonstrating activities and strategies for class teams
Providing advice for schools and nurseries
SPECIALISTSERVICES
In addition to the targeted activities:
 Contributing to meetings in school
 Supporting target setting
 Providing specialist training
 Writing specialist reports
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
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UNIVERSAL AND TARGETTED SERVICES
Supporting schools to be communication friendly
Supporting schools to run social skills groups
SPECIALIST SERVCES
Providing therapy packages that focus on the skills needed to form and maintain friendships
and interact effectively with others.
ACCESS AND INCLUSION RESOURCES
These are the practical materials and other resources needed to support your child e.g. physical
equipment, communication devices/support, symbols etc.
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UNIVERSAL AND TARGETTED SERVICES
Contributing to displays and newsletters etc.
Providing posters and general information
Supporting schools to create environments that allow children to access and contribute to
school and family life
Providing information leaflets in accessible formats
SPECIALIST SERVICES
Providing therapy resources that enable individual children to access learning and make a
positive contribution
SCHOOL BASED TRAINING
This is the training support available for professionals and others involved in supporting your child.
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UNIVERSAL AND TARGETTED SERVICES
Providing general training to individuals, families and school staff
Demonstrating activities
Training school staff to run communication groups
Co-teaching with teachers in classroom
Providing training to staff and follow up in their setting where applicable
SPECIALIST SERVICES
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Providing condition specific training (speech sounds, language, feeding)
SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
This means the support available to your family, outside of being involved in planning meetings,
observing sessions etc...
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UNIVERSAL AND TARGETTED SERVICES
Offering parent drop ins
Attending parents evenings
Running sessions in Children’s Centres
Displaying posters and information in a variety of community settings
Offering parent training sessions
Providing drop in advice sessions
SPECIALIST SERVICES
Ensuring families are included in all decision making regarding speech and language
therapy
Demonstrating therapy approaches for use at home
Providing written support and reports following any therapy or advice
TEACHING/THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
This means specific ways of teaching or supporting your child’s communication development.
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UNIVERSAL AND TARGETTED SERVICES
Developing communication friendly schools by contributing to policies, planning and
working with school staff
Providing drop-ins for staff and families
Assessment of your child’s communication skills
Programmes to include activities to develop speech and language skills which are then
delivered by school/ nursery staff and parents
Supporting schools to set up targeted small group work
Supporting staff in their early identification of SLCN
This may take place at Community Clinics, schools, nurseries, Children’s Centres.
SPECIALIST SERVICES
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Providing therapy packages
Referral and access to a range of clinics e.g. feeding; Hearing Impairment; Autism
Providing programmes for others to carry out
Completing onward referrals
SERVICE CONTACT DETAILS
Lindsay Malekzai / Jo Copp
Address
Woodside Centre
Woodside Road
Barnehurst
Kent
DA7 6LA
Tel: 01322 521330
E-mail: oxl-tr.slt-admin@nhs.net
HOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ANYTHING RELATED TO THE SERVICE YOU RECEIVE FOR
YOUR CHILD.
If you have any concerns about the service you and your child is receiving, please contact your
therapist in the first instance or the service manager. We will aim to resolve your concerns as
quickly as possible. If you feel you need to take your concerns further we have a complaints
process. Further information can be found on www.oxleas.nhs.uk. In the first instance, please
discuss any concerns you have, with the admin manager.
Formal complaints should be made to the Complaints team:
Head of Complaints
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
Pinewood House
Pinewood Place
Dartford DA2 7WG
Tel: 01322 625013
Fax: 01322 625711
Email: complaints@oxleas.nhs.uk