Advice and support
Concerns about a child or young person’s communication, eating, drinking or physical skills are often first noticed by a parent, carer or professional.
The first step is to look at the information available through the Children and Young People’s Therapy Service. This includes Fact Files for Early Years and School‑age children to help families and professionals understand what support may help.
If further advice is needed, you can contact the CYPTS Telephone Advice Line on 0303 033 3002. The advice line is open 9am to 12pm, Monday to Thursday (excluding Bank Holidays). A therapist can talk through concerns and suggest next steps.
If a child or young person’s skills are within the usual range, development can be monitored over time. No referral is needed at this stage, but referral can be reconsidered later if concerns continue.
If skills are delayed, families or professionals are encouraged to follow the advice given in the fact files or by the advice line therapist for a recommended period of time. Progress should then be reviewed.
If progress is made, no referral is needed.
If progress is not made, you can contact the advice line again to discuss this, or make a referral to the service. In some cases, a referral may be needed straight away. This could include difficulties following a brain injury, significant eating or drinking difficulties, or concerns that need more urgent support. Guidance on urgent referrals is included in the fact files or may be recommended by the advice line.
Making a referral
Anyone can refer a child or young person, as long as the referral has been discussed with a parent or carer and consent has been given.
- Practitioners can refer using an Early Help Assessment or the service referral form
- Parents and carers should use the online referral form on the NHS Children and Young People’s Therapy Service website
Some referrals need extra information:
- referrals for eating and drinking must include the additional feeding information form
- referrals from schools or preschools for communication needs must include the Communication Competencies form.
What happens after a referral
All referrals are reviewed by a Speech and Language Therapist, who also discusses the referral with an Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist. This helps make sure all therapy needs are considered together.
If a referral is not accepted, parents and the referrer will receive a letter explaining why, along with advice and relevant advice sheets. In some cases, a referral may be needed again in the future.
If a referral is accepted, parents will receive a letter asking them to contact the service to book an initial assessment appointment. A copy of this letter is also sent to the referrer.
Using visuals
Ruth from Somerset Parent Carer Forum leads an interactive session on how to create visuals to help your child or young person during our Local Offer Live week.
You can access Somerset’s Inclusive Communication signs and symbols for free.
There is more information about when to use visual prompts in the Fact Files for Early Years or for School-age.
Find out more about communication boards in playgrounds.