Children's Speech and Language Therapy

Health Services in the Stoke on Trent Local Offer are either commissioned by the NHS (Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) and NHS England) or Public Health (Local Authority).

Commissioned services are delivered by various Providers including NHS, Private and Independent Sector Organisations.

The services provided by the NHS range from services that are available for everyone (universal services) and services that require a referral (targeted/ specialist) - there is often an eligibility criteria for these services. All NHS commissioned services are free at point of use.

Universal Services:

These are available in the local area without the need for a specialist assessment. You do not need to see someone else first or be referred to use universal services.

For example a Pharmacist, Dentist, Health Visitor, Public Health Advisory Service, General Practitioner (GP).

Targeted and specialist services:

Services commissioned by MPFT are not available unless your child has a suspected or identified health need.  A referral will be required to access these services for you or your child. 

For example: Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy, Children’s Community Nursing team or the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

A referral can be made by a Health Visitor, teacher, nursery practitioner, G.P., other professional, parent or those with parental responsibility. Please contact your local SLT team for referral advice.

Things to try at home

There are many ways parents and carers can support their child's speech and language development. For children in the early years (aged 0 to 5) the following websites may be helpful:

• Stoke Speaks Out is an initiative set up to support children's speech and language development.
• You can also follow Stoke Speaks Out on Facebook.
• The BBC website Tiny Happy People helps you develop your child's communication skills. They have a selection of simple activities and play ideas to help with early development.

Anyone can refer to the service. However referral information is used to make a decision about whether we are the right people to be involved, or where and when a child should be seen. So it is best to talk to your child’s Health Visitor, nursery or school as they have some guidelines (staged pathway) and advice about what we need to know. 

We see children aged 0-18, and up to 25 if they have an EHCP. Children must have a Stoke on Trent (or North Staffordshire) GP