'You Said, We Did' SEND in Norfolk 2023-4

Waiting times for speech and language therapy need to improve.

The Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) service has:

• Changed the way children, families and professionals access the SaLT service with:
  • A new online referral form for parents carers to outline their speech and language concerns and the current support in place. This triggers a 30-minute virtual early advice session with a speech and language therapist. They will provide advice, support and signposting to training and resources.
  • New termly school link meetings with SENDCos and higher level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs). They will discuss the current SaLT needs in their setting, the support already provided and new requests for support.

These approaches give speech and language therapists the opportunity to identify needs and provide appropriate and tailored support to children and young people at an earlier stage. This has reduced the waiting time for speech and language therapy to 12 weeks.

Feedback quotes

"We have been provided with excellent support throughout my son's journey with the speech therapists and his SRB school, we have been so impressed with his progress".

Parent X in August 24

 "As someone who has been a SENDCo for over 10 years, I feel like the organisation of the SALT team is at its best and I am excited by what is to come".

Primary School SENDCo in July 24