1. Triage of Referrals in the Swansea School Based Service
Lucy Jones (Speech and Language Therapist Locality Lead for Swansea)

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. How would you rate the new referral form in terms of ease of completion?

7. Please rate how helpful you felt the decline letter was

8. Accepted and declined referral data

9. Reasons for decline

10. Subsequent outcome for the declined referrals

11. 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

12. Any questions?