Children’s Speech and Language Therapy
The Specialist Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service supports children in Nottingham city and county. We help children from birth to the end of school.
Who we work with
We work with children who need support with:
- Understanding what is being said to them
- Listening and following instructions
- Using words and linking words together
- Saying sounds and speaking clearly
- Communicating and interacting with other people
- Using alternative ways of communicating
- Having a healthy voice
- Eating and drinking
- Stammering
To find out more visit our Communication support page.
How we work
Our aim is to enable you to support your child's communication when you need our help. In order to do this, you will initially receive phone or video appointments. The service also offers appointments at clinic, home, school, or nursery if needed. We liaise with other people involved in your child's care, as agreed with you at your first appointment.
Sometimes we support parents through training courses. These are either live online or hosted on our training platform.
Our support is offered in short blocks around specific targets, to ensure progress is made and our intervention is working. Further support is available following a period of 'practice time' at home.
- NHC Children's SLT Intro Video - YouTube
- Children's Speech and Language Therapy (PDF Form) (opens in new window)
What to expect from your first appointment
Once your child's referral to Specialist Speech and Language Therapy is accepted, you will be invited by text to phone in for an appointment. You will be phoned by a member of the team and asked questions about your child and your concerns.
Advice and recommendations will be given, and the 'next steps' agreed.
We use interpreters for families when appropriate and have access to interpreters in a wide range of languages.
How to refer
The Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service is available to children and young people (0 -18 years) who meet service entry criteria.
Anyone can refer to Speech Language Therapy, as long as they have the parents' or carers' consent.
Communication concerns
Parents or carers can refer online using this link: Children's Speech and Language Therapy Referral Form (Page 1 of 2) (office.com)
Other professionals can refer using our referral form and checklist.
If you are a school sending a referral, please send the referral via a password protected email to: childrensSLT@nottshc.nhs.uk.
These referral forms are also for those families who would benefit from our Home Talk, early intervention package children for aged 22 months to 2 years 6 months.
Eating, Drinking and Swallowing concerns
Parents and professionals can refer using our referral form: SLT Eating and Drinking Referral Form - 2024
Please note: The speech and language therapy dysphagia (eating, drinking, swallowing) team do not work with children with restricted diets. Our area of expertise is children with physical, respiratory, neurological difficulties affecting their ability to chew and / or swallow safely and to provide support to reduce aspiration risk.
If you are a school sending a referral, please send the referral via a password protected email to: childrensSLT@nottshc.nhs.uk.
Referral forms can also be printed and sent to:
Children's Development Centre
City Hospital Campus
Hucknall Road
Nottingham
NG5 1PB
For queries, please contact us on: 0300 1233 387
Other things you need to know
Please let us know as soon as possible if you cannot be available for your child's appointment.
You can refer back into the service if your child's speech and language therapy has ended and you have further concerns about their communication.
Speech and language therapy information regarding your child will be shared with other health professionals involved in their care. This is a part of our safeguarding young people policy.
You can:
- Ask at any time to make an appointment with a Speech and Language Therapist.
- Ask for a second opinion if you are not totally happy.
- Choose whether to be involved in any video recording or student training.
- Have access to your child's speech and language therapy records on request.
Your child's speech and language therapy will end:
- When you and the speech and language therapist have agreed the targets that you and your child / young person need to be working on.
- If you do not attend your child's appointment and do not contact us.
- When your child reaches the service age limit.
Parent or carer request for further support
If your child has already seen a speech and language therapist in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire, you can request further support by completing this online form.
Service opening hours
8am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.
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