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Who's it for?

It can be hard to know where to start if you are worried about your child’s development. If you think your child is having challenges with talking and understanding words, swallowing, eating and drinking we are here to help you.

 Our service is available to children and young people living in Leeds who pay council tax to Leeds City Council or who are registered with a Leeds GP. In addition, our Stammering Support Service and Communication Aid Service support Adults. 

We provide support mainly via face-to-face appointments, but we may offer you a telephone or video consultations where we feel it is an effective way of communicating and meeting your needs. Waiting times are around 18 weeks for a clinic/school appointment. Waiting times for some of our specialist teams are longer.

We have ten service areas:

  • Pre-school Clinics and Mainstream School
  • Deaf and Hearing Impairment Team
  • Developmental Language Disorder
  • Complex Developmental Assessment (ICAN)
  • Complex Communication and Autism Assessment (ICAN)
  • School Age Learning Difficulties
  • Community Feeding Team (Dysphagia)
  • Criminal Justice
  • Communication Aid Service (includes adult referrals)
  • Stammering Support Service (includes adult referrals)

We provide:

  • Assessment, goal setting and practical advice
  • Education and self-management advice for parents/carers
  • Individual and group therapy (intervention)
  • Parent/carer workshops

Our speech and language therapist and assistants aim to support you to:

  • Be more confident in supporting your child’s speech, language and communication or swallowing needs.
  • Increase your knowledge about how to support your child’s speech, language and communication or swallowing needs.
  • Develop new skills to use to support your child’s speech, language and communication or swallowing needs.

Workshops for Parents and Carers

Do you have a child with delayed speech and / or language development? Some children find it hard to:

  • use words and sentences
  • speak clearly
  • understand conversations
  • develop early communication skills which can affect relationships and learning

Would you like to find out more about helping your child to communicate?

Would you like a chance to meet and chat with other parents / carers whose children have similar difficulties?

We offer sessions for parents and carers of young children with delayed speech and / or language development. The courses are free for parents and carers who have a Leeds postcode and / or Leeds GP and have a child with an open referral to the speech and language therapy service. There will be a charge for parents and carers accessing our courses who are out of the area.

The workshops are very informal and give practical advice on helping your child and will give you the chance to:

  • Find out more about how children develop communication skills.
  • Think about the way children and adults interact together, and how this can influence children's communication development when there are difficulties.
  • Share ideas and get support from other parents and carers whose children have delayed speech and / or language development.

These workshops give parents and carers an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in an informal and supportive atmosphere. These workshops are for parents and carers only. Unfortunately, there is no provision for your child to attend and there are no crèche facilities.

Following a speech and language assessment, if appropriate, your name will be added to a waiting list for parent training workshops. You will be offered a place on a parent training workshop via an opt-in letter. In order to book a place please follow the directions on the opt-in letter.

Workshop Information

Parent training is provided in a variety of venues across the city. Details of the parent and carer workshops we offer can be found below.

  • Universal Workshop

    We offer a Universal workshop for parents / carers with top ten tips for talking. This is aimed at parents / carers of children who are following our universal pathway.
    Following this workshop, the children will be discharged. This workshop is to help parents and carers understand how general communication and interaction develops and what can be done to help at home. Parents / carers are invited to choose three of the top ten tips they wish to implement at home in the first instance and they will be included on the discharge report. Participants will also get the opportunity to meet and speak with other parents / carers whose children are having similar difficulties.

    Language Workshop

    We offer a Language workshop for parents and carers of children with language difficulties. This workshop is to help parents and carers understand how language skills develop and what can be done to help at home. Participants will also get the opportunity to meet and speak with other parents / carers whose children are having similar difficulties.

    Speech Sounds (pronunciation) Workshop

    We offer a Speech Sounds workshop for parents / carers of children with speech sound (pronunciation) difficulties. This is a workshop to help parents / carers understand how speech sound skills develop, what can go wrong, and what happens in speech and language therapy. Participants will also get the opportunity to meet and speak with other parents / carers whose children are having similar difficulties.

    Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) Workshop

    We offer a short workshop for parents / carers of children who have a diagnosis of DLD. This workshop is to help parents / carers understand what DLD is and what can be done to help at home. Participants will also get the chance to meet and speak with other parents / carers whose children have similar difficulties. This workshop is for parents / carers of children who have a diagnosis of DLD from the DLD team.

    Specific Speech Disorder (SSD) Workshop

    We offer a short workshop for parents / carers of children who have a diagnosis of SSD. This workshop is to help parents / carers understand what SSD is and what can be done to help at home. Participants will also get the chance to meet and speak with other parents / carers whose children have similar difficulties. This workshop is for parents / carers of children who have a diagnosis of SSD from the SSD team.

    Makaton Workshops

    We offer Makaton workshops for parents / carers of children who use Makaton. The sessions give parents / carers an opportunity to develop their Makaton signing skills in an informal and supportive atmosphere.

    Makaton Level 1 and 2 Workshops

    The Level 1 and 2 workshops provide a practical introduction to parents / carers who need to use Makaton in everyday situations. Signing instruction is given for over 200 early vocabulary concepts. Makaton symbols are included, and examples of their use are given. Methods of implementing and using Makaton are discussed and developed.

    Makaton Levels 3 and 4 Workshops

    The Level 3 and 4 workshops concentrates on improving and developing signing and symbol skills and develops everyday use of Makaton. It revises the early vocabulary introduced in the Level 1 and 2 workshops and teaches an additional 250 signs and symbols of later vocabulary. Participants must have attended the Level 1 and 2 workshops and use Makaton daily.

    Communication in ASC

    (age 5-19)

    This workshop is aimed at families whose school-age children regularly use and understand spoken language. This workshop is for parents / carers of children who have a diagnosis of autism.
    For parents / carers of school-age children who are at a pre-speech or very early stage of communication development, the Intensive Interaction workshop (see below) will be more useful.

    Intensive Interaction Workshop (age 0-4)

    Intensive Interaction is an approach to teach the basic fundamentals of communication that come before speech. It is used with both children and adults who have severe learning difficulties and / or autism and who are still at an early stage of their communication development. Based around a parent – infant interaction model, it uses natural interaction to create enjoyable and understandable interaction experiences and thus develops the individual’s communication and interaction skills.

    This workshop is useful for parents / carers who have a pre-school child who would benefit from using this approach. The sessions give parents / carers an opportunity to develop their understanding and use of Intensive Interaction in an informal and supportive atmosphere.

    Intensive Interaction Workshop (age 5-19)

    Intensive Interaction is an approach to teach the basic fundamentals of communication that come before speech. It is used with both children and adults who have severe learning difficulties and / or autism and who are still at an early stage of their communication development. Based around a parent – infant interaction model, it uses natural interaction to create enjoyable and understandable interaction experiences and thus develops the individual’s communication and interaction skills.

    This workshop is useful for parents / carers who have a school aged child who would benefit from using this approach. The sessions give parents / carers an opportunity to develop their understanding and use of Intensive Interaction in an informal and supportive atmosphere.

    Visual Support Workshop

    This workshop is designed to help you understand and identify visual strategies that will support you and your child at home and in an educational setting. The course is designed for children attending mainstream educational settings with or without a diagnosis of autism.

    Children Under 6 Who Stammer

    We offer a workshop for parents / carers of children who stammer.
    This workshop provides information about stammering behaviours that might be seen as children are developing their language skills and looks at what parents can do to support comfortable communication and interaction.
    Participants also get the opportunity to meet and speak to other parents / carers whose children stammer.

    Children Over 6 Who Stammer

    We offer a workshop for parents / carers of children over 6 who stammer.
    This workshop helps parents to learn more about the development of stammering and what can be done to support a child who stammers.
    Participants also get the opportunity to meet and speak with other parents / carers whose children stammer.

    Selective Mutism

    We offer an introductory course for parents / carers of children presenting with Selective Mutism. This workshop is to help parents / carers understand what selective mutism is and offer support and guidance as to what can be done at home to help. Participants will get the opportunity to meet and speak with other parents / carers whose children are having similar difficulties.

    1. Why have I been invited to attend this workshop?

    Your child has been seen by a Speech and Language Therapist and they feel this workshop would be useful for you.

    You will be given information to support your child’s communication development at the workshop.

    1. What will the workshop involve?

    Workshop descriptions are available on our website:

    https://www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services-a-z/speech-and-language-therapy2/about-our-service/

    1. Do I need to attend both dates for the Intensive Interaction (5-19) face to face workshop or Makaton online workshops?

    Yes it is important for you to attend both sessions.

    If you cannot attend both sessions contact the SLT Admin team.

    Tel: 0113 843 3650

    We will contact you when we schedule more workshop dates. You will phone/email to book on in the same way.

    1. Do I need to bring my child that I am attending this course for?

    No. This workshop is for parents/carers only. It is for you to be given information to support and develop your child’s communication skills. There are no childcare facilities.                                       

    1. Is there any childcare provided?

    No, unfortunately we are unable to provide any childcare provision. If you cannot attend due to childcare contact the SLT Admin team.

    Tel: 0113 843 3650

    We will contact you when we schedule more workshop dates. You will phone/email to book on in the same way.

    1. Can I breastfeed during a face to face workshop?

    If you are currently breastfeeding a child, you can request a 1-1 session in clinic. The face to face workshops are for parents/carers only.

    1. Can I leave early if needed?

    Ideally, you will attend for the full session/sessions. We appreciate this may not always be possible. Please speak to the staff running the workshop when you arrive.

    If you cannot stay for the full workshop contact the SLT Admin team.

    Tel: 0113 843 3650

    We will contact you when we schedule more workshop dates. You will phone/email to book on in the same way.

    1. How many people can attend with me?

    You can book on with one other person.

    1. I will need an interpreter, will this be arranged?

    If you need an interpreter contact the SLT Admin team. We need to know which language you speak.

    Tel: 0113 843 3650

    If we have invited you to attend an online workshop and you need an interpreter please contact the admin team. We are not able to provide interpreters for online workshops. We can arrange a 1-1 session with an interpreter.

    1. Are refreshments provided for face to face workshops?

    Yes, tea and coffee will be provided, plus access to drinking water.

    If it is a full day workshop you need to bring a packed lunch with you.

  • Information for parents/carers

    What service do we offer?

    • Assessment, goal setting and practical advice on speech, language, and communication needs and/or swallowing difficulties.
    • Self-management advice, information, and support.
    • Individual/group therapy (intervention).
    • Parent/carer workshops.
    • Practitioner Training. 

    Our speech and language therapist (SLT) and assistants (SLTA) aim to support you to:

    • Be more confident in supporting your family member’s speech, language and communication or swallowing needs.
    • Increase your knowledge about how to support your family member’s speech, language and communication or swallowing needs.
    • Develop new skills to use to support your family member’s speech, language and communication or swallowing needs. 

    What happens once the referral has been accepted?

    The information provided on the referral form will be used to decide what happens next. If your child is pre-school age, we will phone you to arrange an appointment in clinic (or sometimes at home) you will be notified of the agreed date/time by text message. After the first appointment we will provide advice and suggestions for you to try with your child at home. If your child is in a nursery/childcare setting we will share information with them about how to support your child. Depending on need some children are offered a follow up appointment.

    Appointments in a school/nursery setting will be arranged directly with the setting. If your child is being seen in school/ nursery you should confirm with either school or the CSLT service that you wish to attend the appointment.  Appointments may last around an hour. The SLT will talk to your child’s teacher about your child’s development as well as their speech, language, and communication needs or swallowing difficulties.

    The SLT will assess the speech, language and communication or swallowing needs using a range of resources. The information gathered will be used to create a care plan which will support you to achieve the agreed goal. The service is guided by Neurodivergent affirming principles. ND-Hub-Affirming-Principles.pdf (mindmate.org.uk)

    What happens after the assessment?

    The SLT will talk to you and/or care/school staff about further help that the service may offer. Options may include an episode of care comprising of: 

    • Parent workshops
    • Training/Practitioner workshops (for nursery/school/education staff)
    • 1-2-1 intervention
    • Group intervention
    • Programme of strategies and activities to carry out regularly

    The SLT will write a report or support plan giving details about the assessment outcome and recommendations. This will be shared with you and those professionals who are able to support your speech, language, and communication or swallowing needs.

    We might send you a text with links to online resources that will help you to support your child’s speech, language, and communication needs and/or swallowing difficulties.

    If appropriate, you will be asked for your consent for onward referral to another service e.g. Audiology for a hearing assessment, Paediatrician assessment or referral to the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service.

    At the completion of an episode of care you and the professionals involved will have received a support plan. This will include strategies, advice, and details of re-entry to the Children's Speech and Language Therapy service if required later.  

    How can you and others can help?

    To gain maximum benefit from SLT support, attend all appointments offered.

    Regularly carry out the strategies and activities recommended by the SLT on the support plan regularly. Progress can be made if the recommendations are followed.

    It is important that the training workshops recommended are attended.

    You and care/school staff may be asked to download advice sheets from the SLT Toolkit, these support the verbal advice you will have been given in the appointment.

    Please ensure you inform us of any change in address, home / mobile telephone number, or GP practice.

    Who will be at the appointment?

    Therapist - Your family member’s care will be overseen by a qualified SLT. All our SLT’s are registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

    Assistant - Some parts of your family member’s care may be delivered by a SLT Assistant under the guidance of the SLT.

    SLT Students - As part of their practical training, SLT students may work with your family member under the supervision of the SLT. If you do not want a student to be involved in the appointment, please tell the SLT.

    Where will the SLT appointment take place?

    Pre-school children with speech, language and communication needs are usually seen in health centres and occasionally at home or in early years settings.

    School age children with speech, language and communication needs are usually seen in school, although some school-age children are invited to be seen in a health centre (e.g. where the child has a Leeds address/GP but attends a school outside of Leeds).

    Children & young people with swallowing difficulties are typically seen at home or in an education setting.

    Adults who stammer will be invited into a health centre. Adults seen by the Communication Aid Service will be offered a visit at home visit or in their care setting.

    Confidentiality

    SLTs keep records about the treatment your family member receives from our service. We use the secure electronic system used by all health care professionals working within Leeds Community Healthcare to record and share relevant information about contacts we have with you and your family member with other healthcare professionals. We will only share information with your consent and where it is appropriate to the care we are providing.

    What happens if your child is not brought?

    Your family member will be discharged from the CSLT service if you fail to attend an appointment in clinic without contacting the CSLT service in advance. If your child is unable to be in school on the day that he/she has an appointment with the SLT, please notify the CSLT service as soon as possible. Your child will be discharged if you or school fail to contact the CSLT service in advance.

    What do we do with feedback?

    If you have a complaint, concern, comment, or compliment, please let us know by speaking to a member of staff. We learn from your feedback and use the information you provide to improve and develop our services.

  • When your baby or child is diagnosed with a hearing loss they are referred, with your consent, to the Specialist Speech and Language Therapy service for deaf and hearing impaired children.

    Who are we?

    We are a team of Specialist Speech and Language Therapists who work in a variety of settings including homes, schools and nurseries.

    What is our aim?

    Our aim is to show you how to encourage the development of your baby or child’s speech, language and communication skills.

    We can provide early support and advice for you and your baby / child. Together with you as parents, we will monitor and assess the progress of your child’s communication skills.

    We will be looking at:

    • Attention
    • Listening
    • Vocalisation
    • Play
    • Social and emotional development
    • Understanding and use of language

    If appropriate the therapist will show you activities and games to help you develop your baby or child’s communication skills to add to what you already do when playing with them at home.

    Who do we work alongside?

    We have strong links with:

    • Hearing and balance centre
    • Yorkshire Cochlear Implant Service
    • Teachers of the Deaf
    • Community paediatricians
    • Local nurseries / childminders / preschool n School staff as appropriate

    How often will you see us?

    The duration and frequency of our support will be agreed with you and will vary according to your baby or child’s communication needs and family circumstances.

    First steps

    Our first visit is usually to your home and we will contact you shortly to arrange a convenient date and time. You will have the opportunity to ask us questions and to discuss your baby / child’s communication needs in relation to their hearing loss. We look forward to meeting you.

  • What is DLD?

    DLD stands for Developmental Language Disorder. This means that you would expect ongoing difficulties with understanding and using language. This would have an impact on all aspects of life both at home and school.

    • DLD is not caused by any other condition e.g. autism, hearing loss, genetic conditions (e.g. down syndrome, cerebral palsy).
    • Children can have DLD alongside other difficulties e.g. ADHD, dyspraxia, literacy difficulties, speech difficulties.
    • There is no known cause for DLD.
    • DLD was previously known as Specific Language Impairment (SLI).
    • It affects approximately two children in every classroom.

    Possible signs of DLD

    Your child may demonstrate some or all of these:

    • Difficulties finding the word they want to say.
    • Gaps in vocabulary – struggle to learn and remember new words.
    • Difficulties understanding what is being said to them.
    • Immature sounding speech such as incorrect use of tenses or unusual word order.
    • Greater success learning through practical activities and visual cues like pictures.
    • Difficulties answering WH questions e.g. who, where, why.

    What can you do?

    If your child has difficulties with using and understanding spoken language, there are a few ways you can help support them at home/school:

    • Give them extra time to think about what they want to say.
    • Try not to interrupt them or finish their sentence for them.
    • Use visual aids such as pictures, objects or gestures to support what you are saying to them.
    • Use their name to gain their attention before giving them instructions or asking questions.
    • Use language that they will be able to understand.
    • Say their sentence back to them with correct grammar and word order e.g. “catched ball” – “yes he caught the ball”.
    • Use specific language e.g. “please put your toys in the box” instead of “please put them in there”.
    • Try not to talk too fast – this will allow them time to process and understand what you are saying.
    • Repeat what you have said if necessary

    Speech and Language Therapy support for children with DLD in Leeds

    • We have a team of specialist SLTs working with children identified as having High Need DLD in Leeds.
    • Children are referred to the specialist team by their mainstream Speech and Language Therapist, who will already have done some assessment and therapy with your child in school/nursery or clinic.
    • The specialist DLD team initially offer up to six sessions of diagnostic intervention, where we work closely with the child in their setting to fully assess the child’s needs, provide therapy and support parents and practitioners in delivering recommended interventions.
    • According to need, the DLD team may be able to offer further support to some children or they may then receive follow up support from our mainstream SLT team.
    • We also offer training to practitioners and parents.
    • Primary and Secondary Language Resource schools are available for some children with high need DLD. Your specialist SLT will discuss this with you if appropriate.

    If you would like further information or to discuss your child’s Speech and Language needs further please contact your SLT or the DLD team: Judith Lund 0113 843 2759 judith.lund2@nhs.net

    Where to find further information:

Contact and Referral Details

Tel: 0113 8433650

General Enquiries Email: lcht.cslt@nhs.net

8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday

Attendance is by appointment only

All enquiries to:

Central CSLT Admin Team
Leeds Community Healthcare 
White Rose Park, Building 3
Millshaw Park Lane
Leeds
LS11 0DL

Please send referral forms to slt.leedsreferrals@nhs.net

Attendance is by appointment only. We are currently providing support via face-to-face appointments, but we may offer you a telephone or video consultations where we feel it is an effective way of communicating and meeting your needs. 

Adult's Speech and Language Therapy

For our adult's Speech and Language Therapy Service please click  here

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