What does this service provide?

Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) are specially trained to help children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), and stammering. They may work with a child individually or in a group, or they may help the child by supporting others such as the child’s parent/carer or teacher.

Your child has been referred to the SLT service for children who stammer because there is a concern that your child may have difficulties that require a speech and language assessment or advice.


What happens at the first appointment?

During the first appointment the therapist will ask you about your child and their stammer. You will be given information about stammering and the therapist will discuss with you how you can support your child. The first appointment may be an individual assessment or a parent/carer discussion depending on the age and needs of your child . There will be plenty of opportunity for you to ask questions.

What happens after the first appointment?

The SLT will discuss and agree with you the next steps for your child. This may be:

  • advice

the SLT will provide strategies or activities that you can try at home:

  • therapy

you and your child may be invited to come to therapy sessions, either individually or in a small group:

You will also be given activities or strategies to practice at home:

  • referral to another service

The SLT may wish to refer your child to another service, for example, for a hearing test:

  • referral closure

If the SLT considers that your child is no longer stammering, you will not be offered a further appointment, but you will be given information about how to access the service again in the future if required.

What happens during and after your appointment?

Depending on where you live and your child's age, your first appointment may be an assessment session or may be a parent/carer information session led by a speech and language therapist. 

The assessment will vary depending on your child's age. However, all assessments will involve some form of case history (often with parent(s)/carer(s)) and discussion with the child or young person about their speech and communication. This information will allow the therapist to identify factors which may be impacting on the child or young person's stammer and agree a plan to support them. 

Following assessment, the therapist will agree the most appropriate next steps based on the information gathered. This could involve a plan to be put in place at home and reviewed, a block of therapy with the child or younger person or discharge from the service. Many of the therapy approaches for stammering will require both the child or young person and their parent(s)/carer(s) to participate in the therapy programme. 

What if we don't attend?

Wherever possible, we will contact you to find out why your child did not attend and to arrange another appointment. If we cannot contact you, we will send a letter asking you to contact us within 3 weeks. If we do not hear from you, we will contact the referrer and close the referral. If you feel you no longer need an appointment please let us know.

What if we need an interpreter?

We can arrange for an interpreter to be available during your child's appointment. If you feel that you or your child would benefit from this service, please contact us.


How can I access this service?

This service can be accessed through the Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service.


Where can I access this service?

Where will your child be seen?

Your child will be offered an appointment at a specialist speech and language therapy clinic. If you can’t come to the appointment you have been offered, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer a new appointment at a more convenient time.


Get the best from your NHS

If you need advice about our services, facilities or staff, or would like to make a comment, please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS).

Contact details

You can contact PALS by the following:

Telephone: 01273 242 292

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