The Speech and Language Therapy team work with a wide range of children; 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.
Once your child has been assessed, your Therapist may recommend specific therapy option, depending on your child’s needs. This could be individual sessions, groups, or workshops or courses for yourself as parents or carers. For information about some of the groups and workshops we offer click here.
Community clinics
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. We see children for initial assessments, review appointments, groups, 1:1 therapy and provide school visits where appropriate.
Mainstream school service
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.
Special schools
The Special Schools Service covers the special schools across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre: this includes Woodlands Special School, Park Community Academy, Highfurlong Special School, Great Arley, Red Marsh School and Pear Tree School. Within the Special School Service, we support school staff to deliver regular input, children may also receive blocks of 1:1 therapy, group therapy. We write specific programmes to be carried out by school staff, and also offer home visits depending on the child’s needs. We also provide training to the staff within that setting to help support the communication needs of the greater student population.
Early years complex needs team
This team supports children who have additional needs such as physical difficulties or complex communication difficulties across Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde. We are based at St Annes Primary Care Centre but 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.
Feeding/swallowing service
The complex needs team also offers an eating and drinking service for children aged 0 – 19, which is accessible through medical referral.
SLCN (Speech, Language and Communication Needs) service
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). Your child’s Speech and Language Therapist will determine whether your child meets the criteria for this service.
Early language support for all children
We also offer advice and information regarding early speech, language and communication development in our youngest children – even if you have no current concerns. Our Therapist visits local children’s centre groups to provide information and answer any questions you might have about how your baby or young child is developing. We also offer training and support to local nurseries, childminders etc, to help them find the best ways to promote early language development for all children. If you work with young children and would like more information, please click here.
