The provision for SALT in Sheffield is changing. This means the way we support learners with Speech Language and Communication needs at Discovery will also change.

The changes are really positive and will mean that more children get timely and appropriate support from the clinical team.

If your child is currently known to the service you will either

1. have already received a letter
2. will receive a phone call from the NHS before the end of the summer term.

There are three outcomes of initial contact:

1. 1. Your child has no further support needs at this time, is making good progress with their communication skills and the case is closed with an option to re-refer in the future. They will provide clear advice about how and when to re-refer.
   2. Your child will be offered an ‘episode of care’. This will be a piece of work that may involve assessment, direct work with the child, work with the family and the school. When this work concludes the case will be closed with an option to re-refer in the future.  They will provide clear advice about how and when to re-refer.
   3. It is decided that your child’s Speech, Language and Communication needs require ongoing input from a specialist. This provision will therefore remain within the EHCP. It is the Local Authority’s responsibility to provide and fund this input. This will not sit with the NHS as it is part of Section F within EHCP. Please note that they anticipate that a very small number of children at Discovery Academy would fall into this third category.

 

Options a. and b. may result in the NHS and LA deciding to remove SALT hours from the EHCP. This does not mean less support as we will be in a position to make referrals based on need.

 

FAQs:

 

Is my child known to the service?

If you are unsure, contact Miss Meyrick or Miss Jubb. They will be able to confirm.

 

What if my child is not known to the service but needs support?

If you live in Sheffield we can support you to make a referral. Please contact Miss Meyrick or Miss Jubb.

If you live outside of the local area e.g. Rotherham / Barnsley, we can still assist you but this process may differ based on where you live.

 

How long will my child wait for an episode of care?

This will be needs based. As this is a new way of working, we cannot predict individual wait times, but please contact us if you would like reassurance that you are on the list.

 

How can I know more about how my child’s communication skills are developing?

We assess communication development as part of our English assessment strand. We focus on this across our curriculum. Your child’s class teacher will be able to tell you lots about how their communication skills are developing and will be able to share their most recent targets.

 

What is Discovery doing to ensure my child’s communication is developing throughout their school journey?

Language and communication are key drivers within our curriculum and our classrooms are language rich environments.

We will be working with the NHS team to upskill our staff body so that they feel confident delivering SALT interventions with all pupils who need them.

Miss Jubb, one of our fantastic Teaching Assistants, is supporting the wider staff team to ensure they have access to excellent communication resources.

 

What will happen to Let’s Verbalise?

We will follow a careful handover process from our speech and language therapist from Let’s Verbalise to the NHS offer. As always, all children will continue to receive universal support from their class team as part of their daily offer.

If your child currently receives support in school from Let’s Verbalise (as commissioned by the Local Authority) this will not change.