Children with speech, language and communication difficulties (5 - 16 years old)
In Herefordshire, the children's speech and language therapy service (SALT) supports children who have a range of speech, language and communication needs. If you have concerns about your child's speech or language development, you should discuss them with your child's teacher or the school SENCO who will advise whether a referral to the SALT team is appropriate. Not all children will need a referral to SALT and can be supported appropriately in school through a graduated approach.
For more information about SALT services, criteria and referral, please visit the SALT section and the children's SALT core service leaflet on the Wye Valley NHS Trust website.
Schools and colleges can help most children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties overcome their difficulties and support them to learn. A few will need more help than their school or college can usually provide and more specialist support may be needed.
Language and Communication Centre at Hampton Dene Primary School
The Language and Communication Centre (LCC) at Hampton Dene Primary School offers the opportunity for children who have a diagnosis of autism or severe speech, language and communication difficulties, to achieve the very best that they can in an environment suited to their individual needs. To attend a class in the LCC a child needs to have both an EHCP (Educational, Health and Care Plan) and meet the entry criteria. Hampton Dene Primary School also manage the autism outreach support to other primary and secondary schools.
Speech and language toolkit
You can find out more about how to support your child's speech and language development in the free speech and language toolkit which has been developed by Herefordshire Council and Elklan Training as part of the council's Solid Roots Speech and Language Project.
Children's speech and language therapy resources
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust have lots of resources for parents and carers, including video clips, to help children and young people with speech, language and communication difficulties. You can find all of the resources on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust website.