Triage of Referrals in the Swansea School Based Service Lucy Jones (Speech and Language Therapist Locality Lead for Swansea)
The journey so far... 2002 pilot project for the delivery of Speech and Language Therapy in schools 2007 Speech and Language Therapy delivery moved from clinic based to school based 2011 The Speech Language and Communication Team (SLCT) was formed 2014 Referrals to the SLCT were centralised
Why the move to a centralised system? Improve our understanding of the needs of the pupils being referred Improve service to schools which are ‘uncovered’ due to staff vacancies Concerns regarding a ‘hidden’ waiting list
The development of the centralised system New referral form devised to include information regarding the impact of the child’s needs and the interventions already undertaken Meetings with all SENCos to explain the new referral form and to the centralised system
Triage / Communication Forum Meets monthly Attended by 2/3 Speech and Language Therapists and a Specialist Teacher for Speech and Language Each referral is considered and either accepted or declined If declined a letter is sent to the SENCo explaining why with advice regarding next steps
How would you rate the new referral form in terms of ease of completion?
Please rate how helpful you felt the decline letter was
Accepted and declined referral data
Reasons for decline
Subsequent outcome for the declined referrals
Next steps... Pilot of ASD advice clinics On-going training regarding referral route Tools to support schools in identifying pupils whose language needs are set in the context of wider learning needs Support for schools submitting statistically few referrals or high numbers of inappropriate referrals
Any questions?