Schools
Speech and Language Therapy support for schools
I work with schools to help identify and understand children’s communication needs and to translate Speech and Language Therapy recommendations into practical support within the classroom.
Support is tailored to the individual child and school context, with a focus on approaches that are realistic for staff to use and meaningful for the child.
How I can support schools
Support can be flexible according to the child, staff team and setting.
Assessment
Assessment of a child’s speech, language and communication skills, with clear interpretation of findings and practical recommendations.
Direct therapy
Individual therapy where this is appropriate, with targets and approaches selected according to the child’s needs.
Staff liaison and coaching
Working with the adults around the child so that strategies can be understood and used within everyday classroom situations.
Communication profiles and resources
Clear, accessible information that helps staff understand a child’s communication strengths, needs and the support that is most helpful.
Beyond the therapy room
Helping strategies become part of everyday school life
A child may demonstrate a skill successfully in a quiet one-to-one session but find it much harder to use that skill in a busy classroom. For this reason, liaison with school staff can be an important part of Speech and Language Therapy.
I aim to make recommendations clear and manageable, and to help staff understand not only what may support a child, but why it may help.
Support may include
Different children need different levels and types of input.
- discussion with the child’s teacher, SENCO or other relevant staff
- classroom observation where this would help to understand barriers to communication or participation
- practical strategies for supporting understanding, spoken language or speech
- advice about adapting verbal information and classroom language
- therapy activities or resources for supported practice between sessions
- reviewing progress and adapting recommendations where needed
Working collaboratively
Parents and schools both bring important information.
Where I am supporting a child in school, I value communication between home, school and Speech and Language Therapy. Each sees the child in different situations, and bringing that information together can help us understand what is working and where further support may be needed.
Any liaison or information sharing takes place with appropriate parental consent.
“Chloë has great communication with staff in school. After each session, she shares targets, progress and resources with staff. We found it particularly useful for support staff to observe her speech sessions, giving us first-hand knowledge of the activities and resources so we can confidently use them in school.”
School enquiries
Looking for support for a pupil or your setting?
If you are a SENCO, teacher or other member of school staff and would like to discuss whether I may be able to help, you are welcome to get in touch.
If your enquiry relates to an individual child, please avoid including detailed or sensitive personal information in your initial message.