Speech and language referrals
Changes to the referral process, and additional information about the forms that can be used. Information to help make this process easier.
Please see message below from Principal Lead for Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) Service and Early Years Communication and Language Development Service (EYCLDS).
Following feedback from referrers into Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) including Early Years Communication and Language Development Service (EYCLDS), these services have been working on reviewing the referral pathway for those making referrals for support.
Please note referrals will now be accepted into SaLT/ EYCLDS on a single agency referral form when speech, language and communication is the only concern. A pathway is included at the start of the referral form for information.
For those children where there are additional concerns, these referrals would still need to be made using the Early Help Assessment (EHA) form, as the purpose of EHA is to provide a team around the child to support the children, young person and family with their additional needs.
Please ensure that all sections are completed when you are referring the child and if an EHA is being used, then please ensure your referral information is focused on the functional impact of the child's speech, language and communication concerns, for example, a child's speech sound clarity difficulties are impacting on behaviour/speaking confidence.
If children are referred without the right level of information, then the referrals will be rejected. The services need to ensure that they are supporting the children who need their support most, and therefore it is key that you consider whether a referral to the service is fundamental to support this child and whether there is evidence that the child has initially been supported in setting using the graduated approach.
Referrals which are not sent in the correct format i.e. a letter instead of the single agency referral form or EHA form, will be rejected. This ensures equity across the quality of the referral information received to ensure a child is being triaged accurately.
Referrals should be sent via email to: paedcommtherapyreferrals@boltonft.nhs.uk - please clearly mark your email to state that this is a Speech and Language Therapy referral.
Should you have any questions please do get in touch with our admin department on 01204 462670.