A pioneering partnership between Stirling Council and NHS Forth Valley is continuing to provide some of the lowest waiting times in the country for speech and language therapy.

During the last academic year (July 2023 – June 2024), almost 40% of children in Stirling were able to access support from NHS Forth Valley’s Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service within a week of requesting help.

A focus on early intervention within schools and nurseries has been instrumental in helping ensure that any concerns regarding a child’s communication skills are addressed as quickly as possible.

‘Direct support for families’
Every education setting across the Stirling Council is assigned a link therapist who can provide guidance to staff, while the SLT service operates a weekly helpline where families can access support directly with staff to offer assurance and advice.

In the last two years, 29 schools have been given certified recognition by NHS Forth Valley for their efforts to promote an environment that supports language and communication skills. The first of these was Cowie Nursery in 2023, which received a Diamond Award.

Research shows that improved spoken language skills is a good predictor for better lifelong outcomes in learning, employability and wellbeing.

‘Genuinely transformational’
Children and Young People Convener, Cllr Danny Gibson said: “Our Education Service’s collaboration with NHS Forth Valley has genuinely been transformational in how we approach speech and language therapy support in Stirling Council. The SLT service is making a hugely positive difference in the lives of children and families within our communities.

“I’m incredibly proud that our radical approach to embed speech and language therapy throughout our schools and nurseries is reaching more children in need – and quickly, with our waiting times among the lowest in Scotland.”

Louisa McGuire, NHS Forth Valley Speech and Language Therapy Coordinator, said: “This innovative work highlights the power of collaboration between SLT and educational teams, showing that timely, integrated support can transform the communication experiences of children, especially those with additional needs, and ultimately lead to better outcomes for all.

“The whole systems approach that Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Forth Valley service and Stirling Council are pioneering improves communication skills for children and young people in Scotland by embedding Speech and Language Therapists directly into nurseries and schools, rather than relying on traditional settings like community hospitals and health centres. This shift to providing support in schools has improved access to care, leading to a significant reduction in waiting times and referrals to the service. By offering advice, support, and reassurance at an early stage, the SLT team helps to address potential issues before they escalate, empowering educators and parents to better support the children’s needs.”