Speech, language and communication

Speech, language and communication are crucial for learning, reading, socialising and making friends and for understanding and expressing emotions and feelings.

A child with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) may:

• use speech that is difficult to understand
• struggle to say words or form sentences
• not understand the words or sentences they hear.
• have difficulties knowing how to talk and listen to others in a conversation.

This may be alongside other needs, for example learning difficulties, a hearing impairment or a diagnosis such as autism spectrum disorder or it may be the only need the child has.

Children and young people develop speech, language and communication skills at different rates and do not always need an SLCN diagnosis. Some children develop speech later than their peers. Some may be learning more than one language, which can take longer. Some may have delayed speech due to temporary hearing difficulties related to glue ear. These needs usually resolve naturally over time.

Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Service

The Speech and Language Therapy Service is provided by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust. It covers Derby city and the southern half of Derbyshire county.

Therapists, practitioners, assistants and admin support workers work together to deliver high quality services for adults and children who have:

• speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)
• eating, drinking and swallowing (EDS) difficulties (also known as dysphagia).

The service accepts referral where there are concerns about a child’s SLC or EDS where:

• this is the main cause for concern (over and above other areas of need)
• the adults around the child have not been able to meet these needs through support that is already available or in place. In schools, this means through the Graduated Response. Communication is everybody’s business and not every child with SLCN needs direct support from the speech and language therapy service
• the child or young person is aged up to 25
• the child or young person lives or attends school in Derby city, Amber Valley, Erewash, South Derbyshire or South Dales
• the child’s parent or legal guardian has given consent (under 16) or the young person has given consent (16 – 25).

Download the full referral criteria.

For concerns about Selective Mutism, view the Selective Mutism Derbyshire: information sheet, pathway and guide.

Who can make a referral?

Anyone can make a referral however special educational needs coordinators (SENCo) and health visitors are often best placed to describe the child’s needs and to complete the referral form. Parents and older children or young people can self-refer by contacting their local SLT office (they do not need to fill out a form).

Most referrals should be discussed with a speech and language therapist before sending in a referral form.

For more information including the full referral process and referral form, visit the Speech and Language Therapy website.

TALK Derby

TALK Derby aim to raise awareness of the importance of speech, language and communication development in children and young people and provides practical support.

TALK Derby is all about inspiring and encouraging parents to help their children develop as they should. It’s something that benefits us all – in families, communities, education and work.

Training sessions are available for parents with children in the priority wards of Abbey, Alvaston, Arboretum, Boulton, Chaddesden, Derwent, Normanton and Sinfin.

There’s a variety of helpful resources that can be found on the TALK Derby website.