Speech, language and communication needs

We support children’s speech, language, communication skills, stammering and swallowing difficulties by working with parents, carers, and key professionals in the borough. Together, we will provide timely assessment, therapy, and advice. 

A parents and carer’s guide to the Haringey communication pathway for under 11-year-olds

There is a series of steps to follow if you are concerned about a child's speech, language, or communication skills. 

Keep in mind that children develop differently: Read more about children's language at different ages - Speech and Language UK (external link)

• Talk to your child’s teacher or key worker to see if they are concerned. If they are not concerned but you are still unsure about your child’s communication skills, call Speech and Language Therapy advice line on 020 3224 4399. Any parent can call the advice line, even if your child isn’t in a school or nursery. 
• If your child is not using any words or is talking using one word at a time or has difficulties with speech clarity, stammering, voice disorders, or swallowing, your child’s setting or school will work with you to refer your child to a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT). The SLT service will contact you and arrange an assessment for your child as needed. This assessment will help determine the best ways to support your child's communication needs.
• If you and your child’s setting are concerned about your child’s speech and language, the setting will complete an assessment with your child. The outcome of this assessment will have one of three results: 
  • 1. Green: Communication is as expected for your child’s age. Your child’s teacher and school will continue to support your child. You can also find lots of helpful resources for you to help your child on the Speech and Language UK website (external link).
  • 2. Amber: Mild to moderate communication difficulty. Your child's setting or teacher will adapt their teaching to help your child make progress. Your child will take part in an evidence based intervention focussing on developing their speech and language skills. Your child’s setting will invite you to a workshop to give you ideas on how to support your child. The school will re-assess your child's communication in four to six months. If your child is not making progress in their communication skills, your child’s setting or school will seek specialist and advice and continue to implement Amber approaches. 
  • 3. Red: Significant communication difficulty: 
    • Children in nursery: your child’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo) will put in place evidence-based approaches and meet with you to suggest ways you can support your child at home. Your child’s SENDCo will work with you to make a referral to the Speech and Language Therapy Service.
    • Children in reception and older: your child’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENDCo) will put in place evidence-based interventions and meet with you to suggest ways you can support your child at home. If your child continues to have significant communication difficulty after six months, your child’s SENDCo will work with you to make a referral to the Speech and Language Therapy Service. 

The speech and language therapists will contact you and offer your child an assessment and intervention as needed. They will also provide support and advice for you and the school or setting.

Download and print the guide

You can download and print our  parents and carer’s guide to the Haringey communication pathway for under 11-year-olds (PDF, 239KB)

Secondary School Children

Talk to your school or GP about concerns about secondary-aged children's communication.

Learn more: Whittington NHS Speech and Language Therapy Service (external link).

Contact

• Talk to your child’s teacher, key worker or Health Visitor to see if they are concerned
• You can also contact the speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) service directly via the advice line on 020 3224 4399

Back to top