School & Nursery Services

We are able to offer a range of commissioned services to schools and nurseries ranging from bespoke training to regular termly input that can be tailored to the needs of each school and current SLCN needs. We have developed some packages within our SLCN Solutions service which include training and staff support but we are able to design services individually for each setting.

SLCN Solutions

Our mission is to provide collaborative, tailored speech and language therapy solutions which empower educational settings to support pupils with Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN) through assessment, targeted support, training and therapy services. We believe that every child/young person deserves to be supported to reach their full potential and language and learning are interlinked for academic success and living a fulfilled life.

We have developed a range of accessible services which can be built to suit the yearly SLCN within your school. Our packages can be suited to individual school budgets and needs within the setting. Each package can be customised and can include:

Screening & Assessments
Planning Targeted Support Collaboratively
Assessments & Reports for EHCPs
Staff Surgeries
Bespoke Training
Therapy Blocks and reviews
Resources & Coaching for Targeted Intervention Areas

We use MyTherapyTracker with educational settings who commission services for children they identify, and it has made positive impact for everyone involved. It ensures collaboration as parents/carers and education staff will be sent with session notes, targets and progress updates, resources and video sharing.

Speech and Language Therapy Provision in Schools

A very warm welcome to you from The Orchid Practice, we are here to support your school with all your speech, language and communication needs. We understand that you are likely to be looking for additional support where local NHS services are lacking and leaving your team to meet the SLCN within your school without the guidance and expertise of qualified SLTs. We hope that you will find the following information useful as it includes discussion around many of the most significant issues in SEN and related SLCN impacting schools across the country today.

The Current Situation

There have been changes to the code of practice which mean schools now have more freedom of choice over which services they commission for Speech and Language therapy provision. We understand that employing therapists directly into your school can be a difficult task to achieve, especially with all the due diligence required in evaluating the quality of the service that is due to be commissioned. We can help by providing clear and concise company information and deliver a more reliable and flexible Speech and Language Therapy service which meets the needs of your SLCN cohort.

Current Statistics

In an article in TES Magazine from July 23, 2024, John Roberts wrote:

“Record waiting lists for speech and language therapy are hindering pupils’ school attainment and creating extra challenges for teachers, heads are warning.
More than 75,000 children in England are waiting for speech and language therapy, the latest figures show.
NHS England data from May shows 97,824 people in the community waiting for help (76,331 children and 21,493 adults), with some facing long delays.
The data showed 22,115 children had been waiting 18 to 52 weeks, while 6,053 were waiting over a year.
The figures are a rise on the same month last year, when 90,571 people were waiting (72,168 children and 18,403 adults).”

**Data analysis produced by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

Undiagnosed or misunderstood communication difficulties can often be mistaken as behavioural problems, and if not effectively recognised and supported can have a huge impact on attainment levels, mental health, friendships, and employability. Current NHS waiting lists are unable to support these children and within more advantaged areas there is a lack of government support meaning that the NHS services are struggling to deliver for the EHCP provision only, leaving all others on long waiting lists. Early intervention is not being prioritised with many NHS trusts not accepting referrals before 3 years old and this has damaging results for children and a far-reaching impact for local communities and workforces.

NHS Commissioned Speech and Language Therapy offer core services for primary school-aged children currently and provide as a minimum:

Referral & initial assessment and support for children with EHC Plans in collaboration with the Local Authority
Therapy for children with speech sound disorders & stammers
Management of eating, swallowing & voice problems

Do your core Speech and Language Therapy Services provide support for those children in your school without an EHCP?

It is concerning that in some cases children and young people without EHC plans, who have a greater need and potential to benefit from speech and language therapy interventions, are now unable to access services.

How we support schools with Speech and Language Therapy

Our practice specialises in working in collaboration with educational professionals by offering comprehensive speech and language therapy services tailored to meet the needs of individual schools. We understand the challenges schools face in providing effective support for students with communication difficulties.

Schools can contract a Speech and Language therapist from The Orchid Practice which is straight forward and cost efficient. We provide you with a fixed cost with no hidden fees.

Tailored support
Only pay for the provision you receive
No liability for sick pay, annual leave or maternity costs
All materials such as assessments and therapy resources are included
All therapist supervision or training is covered by the practice
Access the appropriate clinical skill mix from our whole team

Our Services Include:

In-School Assessments & Interventions: We provide tailored assessments and interventions, ensuring that students receive the specific support they need.
Flexible Contracting: Schools can choose flexible service packages, whether it’s for a full academic year or shorter periods, without the burden of additional HR costs like sick pay or training.
Remote Therapy Options: For schools facing staffing challenges, we offer remote therapy sessions, providing continuity of care regardless of location.
Collaborative Approach: Our therapists work closely with teachers and school staff, offering joint coaching and training to integrate therapy into the classroom effectively.

Why Choose Us?

Affordable: Fixed-cost packages with no hidden fees.
Expertise: Access to a wide skill mix managed by experienced clinicians.
Resources: Provision of tailored resources, materials and ongoing support.

Contact us today to discuss how we can support your school in providing high quality therapy services.

Bespoke needs…

Get in touch with us to discuss your individual needs, we love innovation in therapy and education and we are always keen to work with our colleagues to deliver best practice for the children/young people for whom we share our duty of care.