Who can refer to speech and language therapy?

A parent, or carer with parental responsibility can refer.

Any adult familiar with the child can also refer, but only with consent from a parent or carer.

For Looked After Children, consent must be gained from the adult with Parental Responsibility.

Referral criteria:

• children and young people aged 0–18 years (19 when significant learning difficulties are present),
• registered with a Solihull GP or exception,
• who present with communication difficulties,
• and / or have eating and drinking difficulties,
• and where two terms of universal and targeted support have not stimulated progress. See below for support.

There is no charge for speech & language therapy services for young people who are eligible for NHS services.

Before making a referral…

It is important that before a referral is made to the Speech and Language Therapy Service, you access the resources on the website and try these to see what suits your child. You can find them here:

Resources for Everyone – Solihull Children’s Community Therapies (uhb.nhs.uk)

These resources support different areas of communication that we need information about as part of your referral. We hope that they will support your child or the child you are working with.

If you feel that your child, or the child you are working with, still requires support from the Speech and Language Therapy Service, a referral can be made using the link below; please remember to share the following on the form:

• Which resources you accessed
• How they helped your child / the child you work with
• If the resources were not useful, why not?

Referrers should ensure that all sections of the form are completed, and that the referral has been signed by the person who holds parental responsibility. Incomplete referrals will be returned to the referrer for more information.

Referrers should give information about how the child’s communication has been screened, what advice and strategies have been put in place, and whether these have helped.

If there is not adequate evidence of you accessing the resources on the website, the referral may be rejected with the view that these need to be accessed first.

What will happen once my child has been referred?

Your child’s referral might not be accepted into the service, and if so, a letter will be sent to you. If you have any questions about this, you can contact us.

If your child’s referral has been accepted, you will be sent a letter confirming they are on the waiting list for an appointment.   

First appointments are usually by telephone to ensure children and young people’s parents, carers, and teaching staff have enough information and resources to support them while waiting. 

During the telephone appointment, a plan will be made with you about what will happen next. This may mean being discharged with advice, attending some parent/carer training, or a face-to-face appointment, depending on your child’s immediate communication needs.