Community Speech and Language Therapy

The Alder Hey Community Speech and Language Therapy service (covering Sefton and Liverpool), work with children and young people in collaboration with parents or carers and an educational setting like their school/nursery. The evidence tells us this approach leads to the best outcomes for the children and young people.

We provide assessment, advice and therapy, and have an open referral system with parental consent.

We work in collaboration with parents or carers and other professionals in a variety of settings, including clinics, schools, nurseries, and occasionally in the family home.

To be seen by an Alder Hey Community Speech and Language Therapist, your child will need to have a Sefton or Liverpool GP.

How to refer to us

Before referring to the Alder Hey Community Speech and Language Therapy Service, it is important that you talk to your child’s; Health Visitor, the link worker from your local children centre/wellbeing hub or your child’s teacher of SENCo from their nursery/school first if you have concerns about your child’s speech, language and communication development.

They may be able to offer you advice and strategies which answer your questions or resolve your concerns, so you don’t need to see us. If, however, you have tried lots of ideas and are still worried, your child may need to see a Speech and Language Therapist.

Completing the referral form is the first stage in gathering information about your child’s communication and development and any concerns you or the setting might have. We also need to know what you have tried already; what is worrying you the most; and how you think speech and language therapy could help.

You can make a referral by completing the following form in full. If you do not complete the forms in full or provide insufficient information, the referral will not be accepted, and it will be returned to you explaining what you need to do next.

Request for Assessment of Speech and Language Skills –(joint referral form-open referral)
Request for Assessment of eating and drinking – (Joint referral form- we may need to check this!!)
LINK TO COMPLETE THE REFERRAL

How can I help my child?

If you are worried about your child’s speech and language or communication skills, there are lots of ways you can help before a referral is considered.

Children’s centres, family centres, and wellbeing centres have had additional training from Community Speech and Language Therapy. They organise lots of groups and activities that will benefit your child’s early language development. You can contact your local centre and speak to the link worker or centre manager for further information.

• https://liverpool.gov.uk/children-and-families/early-years-and-childcare/childrens-centres
• https://www.sefton.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/family-wellbeing-centres

If your child is in school, you can talk to the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) about your concerns. The SENCo will have experience and additional knowledge about what help is available to support your child’s speech, language, and communication needs.

This might include additional school activities, school support, advice on things you can do at home, and general information on how your child’s language and communication skills can be developed alongside their general learning in the classroom.

If your child is not yet at school, your Health Visitor can also give you some advice about speech, language and communication development.

Advice leaflets

Here you can find some general advice on ways to support your child’s speech, language and communication. You can find further information on the recommended websites above or you can contact us.

• First steps for language development
• Understanding spoken language
• Using Words and Sentences
• Speech Sounds (phonology)
• Using language socially

Follow us on Social Media

Follow us on Twitter @AHHSLTSefton and @AlderHeySLTLiv where we post ideas for activities and resources at home and keep checking back here for ideas and resources.

Useful Websites

Liverpool

• Liverpool Family Information & SEND Directory | SEND Local Offer
• Liverpool Early Help Directory
• https://liverpool.gov.uk/24magicmonths
• https://liverpool.gov.uk/children-and-families/early-years-and-childcare/childrens-centres/
• Down’s Syndrome Liverpool

Sefton

• Local Offer – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities | The Sefton Directory
• https://www.sefton.gov.uk/childrens-services/schools-and-learning/early-years/partners/speech-and-language/
• https://seftonearlyyears.uk/Training
• https://www.seftoneducation.uk/Page/20793
• https://www.sefton.gov.uk/childrens-services/schools-and-learning/early-years/families/

Liverpool & Sefton

• Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives (formerly ICAN)
• ADDvanced Solutions
• Down’s Syndrome Association
• National Autistic Society
• British Stammering Association
• https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people
• https://literacytrust.org.uk/early-years/
• https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/look-say-sing-play/
• https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/early-learning-development/

Where are we based?

The Liverpool Team are based at:

Kilby House
Liverpool Innovation Park
Digital Way
Liverpool
L7 9NJ

For general information and to contact us, please call 0151 295 3990.
We also have a fax number: 0151 295 3991.

The Sefton Team are based at:

Blossom House (Alder Park)
37-47 Park Road
Waterloo
Liverpool
L22 3XE

0151 282 4973
[email protected]

For general information and to contact us, please call 0151 247 6109.

You can also email both Teams at the following address for general queries [email protected]

When will I get an appointment, where will I be seen, and what if I can’t come?

The demand for our service is high, and we have a waiting list for a first appointment. This means we must follow our Trust Patient Access policy with regards to appointments to ensure people who need them are able to get one as soon as possible.

When your child is near the top of our waiting list you will be sent a letter asking you to call us to book in a suitable day, time and clinic.

Please be aware your child will be discharged, and you will need a new referral if:

• If you don’t call us within two weeks of receiving a choose and book letter
• If you do not attend your appointment and fail to cancel
• If you cancel two consecutive appointments

Your child will be discharged and you will need to go back to your referrer and ask them to make a new referral.

If you cannot attend an appointment but have cancelled beforehand, we will arrange a new appointment for you. Please make sure you can attend this rearranged appointment.