Speech and Language Therapy Teams

Additional Information about more specialist services

The Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service breaks down into different teams:

NHS Child Development Unit (CDU) 

The Speech and Language Therapists at the Child Development Unit (CDU) provide an assessment and intervention to preschool children with complex communication and or feeding needs.

Clinic Service - Early Years / Complex Speech (All Age)

A team of Speech and Language Therapists and speech and language therapy assistants who provide assessment and therapy to pre-school children with speech, language or communication needs. Specialist Therapists within the team also provide a service for children with cleft palate and very complex speech needs.

Speech Language Interaction & Communication Schools Service (SLICS) A team of Speech and Language Therapists who work in the Speech-Language Interaction & Communication in Schools Service (SLICS) to provide a coordinated approach to assessment and management of children with a range of communication difficulties. We work within mainstream schools in Stockport to provide this service.

Before a referral is taken by the service the therapist will discuss the child’s needs with the school. This is the case even if referred by a GP as the school has valuable information that is required and also has a range of school interventions that should be followed before a referral is made.

The children are assessed and receive one episode of treatment and then recommendations are given to schools/parents to meet any further communication needs. The school are then responsible for these needs.

School Age Complex Needs Service (Special Needs Service)

The Speech and Language Therapists who work in the School-Age Complex Needs Team aim to provide a coordinated approach to assessment and management of children with a range of severe and/or complex communication, feeding and general development difficulties within Mainstream Primary Schools or Special Schools.

Dysfluency Service (Stammering/Stuttering)

The Dysfluency service aims to provide a comprehensive and effective service to preschool and school-aged clients with dysfluency (stammering) and related difficulties, enabling the client to communicate more confidently and more freely. Advice, training and support is provided to educational settings and other agencies. Early referral and intervention is recommended.

Selective Mutism

The Selective Mutism service aims to provide an effective service to preschool and school-aged clients who are unable to speak in certain social situations due to a severe anxiety disorder. It provides a service that works directly with the child and their families and provides information and strategies to their educational settings or other agencies. Early intervention with these children is key to successful treatment and with the right support, selective mutism can resolve.

Let’s Communicate Children’s Speech Therapy Buy-In Service

In addition, we have the “Let’s Communicate Buy-In Speech and Language Therapy team”. Schools, and other services in Stockport, can purchase additional speech and language therapy sessions in order to provide their pupils with the best level of support and expertise needed.

Services can purchase a set number of sessions per year ranging from just 1 half-day per half term up to a set number of full days per week.

All speech and language therapists work closely with their NHS colleagues to provide a bespoke service which may include assessment, face to face intervention, staff training, and the development of communication friendly environments.