How & When to make a referral

Please see the information below to support you to know how and when to make a referral to the Community Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Service.

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.

Supporting Children’s Communication Is Everybody’s Business

Research tells us that the best way for supporting speech, language, and communication targets and recommendations is a graduated approach. This is a system used nationally, and it considers how everyone in the child’s environment makes an important contribution to the development of the child’s communication skills.  

There are three broad levels of support which can be seen in the following image.  We ask that Universal and Targeted Support is put in place for a child before a referral to Speech & Language Therapy is considered.  Please have a look at our resources pages for ideas and activities that can be used to support children’s communication development.

Referral Criteria

Please see the documents below which include referral criteria and guidance on when to refer for both preschool and school aged children

Referral Form

If you feel the referral criteria is met, we would encourage you to complete a referral to the Community Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Team.

Please ensure that you read all information included in the referral and that all sections of the referral are fully completed.

Please note, the above form was launched in December 2025. Referrals using the old form will now no longer be accepted (from February 2026).

What will happen after the referral is submitted?

• If the referral is not accepted into the service, a letter will be sent to the parent/carer and referrer to explain why. If you have any questions about this, you can contact us.
• If the referral has been accepted, a letter will be sent to the parent/carers and referrer confirming the child is on the waiting list for an appointment.  

When will the child have an appointment after the referral is accepted?

The Paediatric Community Speech and Language Therapy Service is in extreme high demand and therefore wait times are increased. We are working very hard to offer an appointment as soon as possible. 

Our current waiting time is approximately 18 months (updated September 2026)

First appointments are usually by telephone to ensure children and young people’s parents, carers, and education 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 depending on the child’s current communication needs, this may include:

• Discharge with advice
• Attending some parent/carer training
• Face-to-face appointment

How well would you rate the Speech and Language Therapy service?