The Speech and Language Therapy team work with children and young people with a wide range of difficulties; depending on the age of your child and on their needs you may be directed to different areas of our service.

You can see more information about each area of our team below:

Children who access the Community Clinic Service are typically seen at the nearest clinic to their home address. This team sees children with a very wide range of communication difficulties, including stammering, social communication, language and speech difficulties. Your child will typically have an initial assessment and following this a plan will be made with you for any further follow up needed.

We offer a school-based service for some of our children where this is appropriate for their needs. This means we are able to work more closely with teachers/teaching assistants who may be able to support your child’s needs.
Your Speech and Language Therapist will advise you following assessment as to whether school or clinic-based support will be best for your child.

The Special Schools team provides a service to children and young people attending the 6 Local Authority specialist schools across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. This includes: Woodlands School, Park Community Academy, Highfurlong School, Great Arley School, Red Marsh School and Pear Tree School.

Within the Special School Service, we support school staff to deliver the support your child needs in the classroom, and work with you so that you can support their needs at home.

Children may also receive 1:1 therapy sessions or group therapy in school where appropriate. We also provide training to the staff within that setting to help support the communication needs of the greater student population.

This team supports preschool children who have additional needs such as physical difficulties or complex communication difficulties across Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde. We work closely with Blenheim House Child Development Centre and other agencies, such as nurseries and the Special Education Needs team. The children are usually seen until the end of the first term of reception to support school transition.

The complex needs team also offers an eating and drinking service for children aged 0 – 19, which is accessible through medical referral.

The SLCN team are commissioned by Lancashire County Council, to provide a short term intensive school based service for children with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) with the most complex speech, language and communication needs. Your child’s Speech and Language Therapist will determine whether your child meets the criteria for this service.