Wiltshire Council approves additional investment in speech and language therapy services
Wiltshire Council has agreed additional investment in speech and language services, addressing the growing demand for support in educational settings
Wiltshire Council has agreed additional investment in speech and language services, addressing the growing demand for support in educational settings.
The service assists children and young people with speech, language and communication needs, providing direct therapy in schools and early years settings while supporting educators with training and resources.
At a cabinet meeting this week it was agreed to invest a total of £2,280,000 over the lifetime of the contract period of two years, plus one to meet the growing need when the current contract expires in March 2025.
The additional funding will bolster service delivery, ensuring schools and early years settings receive the training and support needed to meet the needs of children with speech, language, and communication difficulties.
Wiltshire Council will establish a dedicated service to support children and young people in education, aligning with the council's new SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and Alternative Provision Strategy and the broader SEND transformation agenda.
Key enhancements include recruiting a qualified speech and language lead who will work alongside the service provider to deliver an early help model, meeting statutory requirements and addressing children's needs at the earliest opportunity. This approach reflects the council's commitment to providing proactive, accessible support for families, educators, and children.
Caseloads have continued to grow year on year and reflect increasingly complex referrals. Between 2020 and 2023, caseload sizes increased by 1,058, underlining the growing complexity of referrals. Despite a slight reduction in total referrals by March 2023, children and young people are requiring longer periods of care.
The new approach aims to address these challenges, ensuring sustainable and effective support. It will align with both the new SEND and Alternative Provision strategy and the SEND transformation agenda.
Following the end of the current service Wiltshire Council will commission a service separately from the BSW Integrated Care Board. While the service will align closely with health-delivered speech and language services, this structure will provide clarity and a sharper focus on meeting the needs of educational settings, families, and children.
Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for SEND, said: "Families and children deserve a service that meets their needs without requiring them to retell their story repeatedly. This investment ensures that children and young people, through their education settings, can access support when and where they need it most.
"In our business plan we state we want people in Wiltshire to lead full, healthy, and enriched lives. This commitment reflects our dedication to providing the right services at the right time."