School request for professional advice and support

How to contact the service and submit a request for professional support

Before requesting our professional support, please consider if your organisation and the child’s family/carers are ready and able to commit to the recommendations resulting from the SLT assessment. This will include ‘hands on’ regular support to the child / young person by school staff and the family to work on strategies and programmes provided and modelled by the SLT.  This is vital if the desired outcomes are to be achieved. 

Please also ensure parents/carers are clear about the reason for the referral and are prepared to attend an appointment of up to one hour with their child for the initial assessment.

First initial assessment appointment will usually take place within 18 weeks of receipt of the referral.  Ideally the appointment would take place at the school if you are able to provide a suitable room and environment for the assessment. We would need parents to attend or have spoken to the therapist by telephone prior to the school visit.  Appointments at the school location are also preferred where it is anticipated there may be difficulties in engaging with the family and/or transport problems. First assessment appointments are also offered at a community health clinic location, usually the clinic closest to the home address. 

To submit a completed request for support form, please email (preferred) or post to:

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy Service

Administration Team

11 Shelley Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth

Dorset,  BH1 4JQ

01202 443208

dhc.slt.queries@nhs.net

Form for Schools to Request Professional Advice