‘Easy access’: an alternative to the ‘refer-assess-treat’ paradigm for supporting children and families to access speech and language therapy advice and support in the Early Years

Download the presentation given at the RCSLT conference November 2023 and link to recording

Marie Gascoigne and Clare Nield present data that includes longitudinal evidence from Worcestershire Speech and Language Therapy Service form Emma Jordan as well as data from a recent pilot in Lancashire.  The data is capturing the impact of open access drop-in sessions as an alternative to the traditional refer - assess - treat paradigm.  Marie presents the context including the first Talking Walk-ins implemented in the Integrated Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service for Hackney and the City which began in 2003 - 20 years on these continue!

Worcestershire data shows sustained improvement to access from their implementation of the Balanced System in 2011.

The Lancashire case study shows dramatic improvement in access and impact over a nine month period.  This pilot is part of the implementation of the Balanced System across Lancashire that is an ongoing transformation project.