The Harrow Preschool Speech and Language Therapy service’s universal and targeted speech, language and communication support

In 2011, the Harrow Preschool Speech and Language Therapy (HPSLT) service redesigned their offer to ensure children and families in Harrow could access timely and appropriate speech, language and communication support. By upskilling early years practitioners across the borough within early years settings including children’s centres, children and families received early universal and targeted intervention to efficiently address needs resulting in a reduction in referrals to the speech and language therapy service. In redesigning the offer, the HPSLT service saw a significant reduction in inappropriate referrals and children discharged at initial assessment as not meeting the service criteria for specialist services. Key to the success of this work has been the positive culture from senior management believing in the vision from the outset to improve outcomes for children and families. The work has also had the external validation of having won the NHS Award for innovator of the year in 2017.

The SEND Effective Practice Evidence Framework considers that the “strength of evidence” of this case study is promising – the work has been evaluated and shared internally, but has been sustained for over a decade. The “breadth of impact” of this case study is promising – there is evidence of impact in terms of lived experience of children and their families and feedback from professionals.