East Cheshire NHS Children's Speech and Language

The Children's Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services aim to help your child to communicate to the best of their ability. The East Cheshire Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service supports children and young people 0–16 years old, who have speech, language and communication difficulties and/ or feeding and swallowing difficulties. In order to access the service, clients must have a GP within the geographical area covered by East Cheshire NHS Trust. Speech, language and communication needs might include problems with making speech sounds, understanding and using language, stammering, voice (persistent hoarseness), social interaction skills, feeding and swallowing difficulties. The Speech and Language Therapist will assess the child/ young person's strengths and needs. The therapist will sometimes use a formal standardised assessment but may also use informal assessments i.e. observation to inform the decision making on the best way to support and develop the child/ young person’s communications skills. They will then provide advice, intervention and training if this is seen to be appropriate. The Speech and Language Therapist will work closely with parents/ carers’; discussing the child’s needs and provide coaching on ways in which to practise activities at home with their child. The Speech and Language Therapist will work collaboratively with other professions; teachers, support assistants, nursery staff or others who the child has regular contact or support from. The Speech and Language Therapist will discuss the child/ young person’s needs to help others understand the nature of the difficulties and provide them with ideas and strategies to help promote and maximise his/ her communication skills.