Health Q&A from the SEND Information Fair

For Charlotte Ward – our Designated Clinical Officer – the event was a wonderful opportunity to share information about her role (which involves working to ensure the outcomes for Children and Young People with SEND are maximised) with parent-carers by giving a presentation in the afternoon, and by running an information stall with colleagues throughout the day. 

The day also provided a forum to share information about a range of health services for children and young people in the county, and how to access these services.

Many parent-carers asked Charlotte and the team questions and, whilst individual queries were answered on the day or in follow-ups shortly afterwards, the team have taken some of the generic queries and answered them below, in the hope they may be relevant to others who were not able to attend.

A referral went into Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) for my child some time ago; why haven’t I heard anything?

There are sometimes waits for this service. You should be contacted with confirmation that your referral has been received and your child is on the waiting list.

Please contact the service directly if you would like an update on your child’s referral.

Telephone: 0300 421 8937

Email: SLTchild@ghc.nhs.uk

My child is having some difficulty with teeth cleaning/eating. Where can I get support?

Please visit the children’s Occupational Therapy website.

They have practical strategies for supporting eating, drinking, and brushing teeth.

If you find those strategies don’t help, you can complete a self-referral form on the same website.

What are the waiting times for children’s Speech and Language Therapy?

Currently, 70% of children and young people receive advice within 18 weeks of referral, with an average waiting time of 12 weeks. *

Should your child need ongoing therapy after this, wait times can be several months depending on their pathway.

*Please note – this data is correct as of March 2024

My child attends a school in Worcestershire that has a GL postcode. How do we access SALT and other health services?

If your child is registered with a GP in Gloucestershire, then they can access health services in Gloucestershire, through a clinic or surgery within the county.

I have concerns about my child’s gross and fine motor skills. Where can I access support?

Please visit the children’s Occupational Therapy and children’s Physiotherapy pages.

There is a range of helpful information, and this is also where the form is if you think the level of need requires a referral.

My child accessed specialist services years ago, but I believe they now need more help. Can they be rereferred?

Yes - if their needs have changed you can complete a new referral form outlining their current needs.

Please visit the Children’s Health Services Page here and navigate to the specific service you need to complete the referral form.

I have made a referral to OT for my child; can the OT visit them at school if the referral has come from home?

If your child has an Occupational Therapy need which is relevant to them accessing school, then the OT may arrange to visit your child at school.

Can my child access NHS therapies if they are already accessing private therapy through either an educational setting or a self-funded route?

Yes. If your child has additional needs that you wish to make a referral for, then they will be assessed as an individual via that service.

You can find more information here.

What do I do if my child’s need changes between them being assessed and their intervention beginning?

If your child’s need changes whilst you are waiting, please contact the service to let them know.

They will re-triage your child and make a decision from there.

You can find contact details by visiting this page and clicking on the service you need.

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