If your child presents with speech, language or communication needs, the services below can assist you to identify or look for the right professional to identify the area of need and the best way to support.
Early years practitioners within the Family Hubs
Early years practitioners within the Family Hubs are trained, work closely with the Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service, run groups and have access to resources.
These groups show you activities and strategies to support your child's development as part of your everyday routines and play.
Also, the SLT service attends the Old Oak, Tudor Rose and Stephen Wiltshire Family Hubs at least once a month, at their drop-in play session and language groups to offer advice and support. Parents and carers to contact the Family Hub directly to find out when the SLT will be visiting next.
Go to About family hubs for information about locations and how to register to start attending sessions.
Nursery support
The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service offers fortnightly sessions to Early Years settings who would like advice about a child or more information about when to refer. Nurseries can book a time to speak with a speech and language therapist by contacting the Early Years Advisory Team at eyfservice@lbhf.gov.uk
The Early Years Advisory team can also support the nursery and the practitioners working with the child through the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The Joint Communications team
The Joint Communications team is a group of specialist teachers and speech and language therapists who runs workshops for parents and professionals to support children and young people's speech, language and communication development.
For parents and carers, these are the Autum 2024 online sessions:
'Understanding Echolalia' from 10 to 10.45am on
• Monday, 14 October
• Monday, 11 November
• Monday, 2 December
'Stories and rhymes at home for children 2-5 years old'
• Tuesday 19 November 10 to 10.45am
• Tuesday, 10 December 6 to 6.45pm
For parents and carers to book onto training please email inspirehf@lbhf.gov.uk
Professionals should register via the events calendar Inspire (lbhfinspirehub.com)
Parents, carers and professionals can access Social Interaction and Parent Resources to support development of speech, language and communication skills at home and in the community.
The Community Early Years Speech and Language Therapy services team
The Community Early Years Speech and Language Therapy services team supports pre-school children in clinics, children's centres, nurseries, and nursery classes attached to schools.
The team runs drop-in sessions at children's centres and family hubs, for parents and carers to find out more about speech and language needs and the service, and to discuss any concerns. You can ask the practitioners at the setting for a referral to the service.
To learn more visit Speech and Language Therapy for Children, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (clch.nhs.uk) and follow the Hammersmith & Fulham option.