News

Studies show that in the UK, 10% of children have speech, language, and communication needs.

In areas of poverty, almost half of children start school with communication problems.

If left unknown and without help, communication needs can have long-term effects. Source: Speech and Language UK.

Our Trust’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team support children who have difficulty:

• understanding words
• learning to talk
• speaking clearly
• stammering
• swallowing and using language to interact with people around them

The team work with new-born infants, children and young people up to 18 years of age. They also develop the skills of parents, carers and other people who support the child.

“I was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 whilst studying linguistics at Portsmouth University. After receiving a stem-cell transplant from my brother, I was given the all clear in 2012.

“After, I started working in a primary school as a teaching assistant. I became interested in what the children’s speech and language therapists were doing with children who had communication difficulties.

“I admired the work of the therapists and felt I would like to work in the NHS. It felt like I was giving back for the care and treatment I received when I had cancer.

“I decided to do a speech and language degree at Marjon University in Plymouth so I could study whilst living at home. I qualified in August 2022 and started working as a speech and language therapist for the Trust in October 2022. I could not believe my luck. I had secured a job I was enthusiastic about right on my doorstep.” Tegen Roberts, Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist, based at Launceston Community Hospital

Nationally, there is a shortage of speech and language therapists. The Trust’s Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Team is working to improve support worker involvement. They are doing this through apprenticeships, and early intervention to prevent children needing communication help when they are older.

“We are delighted to welcome Tegen into our team of speech and language therapists. It is a rewarding profession, where we make a difference to children, young people, and their families.”

“I feel lucky to work for the Trust. I have received lots of support from my colleagues since starting my role.

“I love working with children and their families. I find my role so rewarding. Seeing children progress with their speech and language is the best feeling.” Katie Purse, Operational Manager, Children’s Neurodevelopmental Service

GPs, health visitors, schools, or family can make a referral. Each referral will get a call back from the speech and language therapist and will have an assessment or given targeted advice.

“There is a huge demand for referrals. This might be because of the pandemic, family circumstances including the cost-of-living crisis and education recruitment.

“Despite this, our team is doing an amazing job at changing our service to be needs led and linked to evidence based pathways.

“We have been getting great feedback from the families and will be looking to deliver more blocks of therapy to those who need it.

“We are now working to increase therapists’ availability and recruitment by developing apprenticeships.” Ysanne Yeatman, Children's Operational Lead for Speech and Language Therapy