The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) has unveiled a proposal to embed speech and language therapists in nurseries and schools across Scotland every week, removing the need for children to leave their educational setting to receive treatment in health settings.
There are currently more than 1,300 speech and language therapists working across Scotland. Over 60 percent of their work is with children, including non-verbal children with severe medical difficulties, children with language disorders who struggle to understand others, and those with speech sound disorders that make it difficult for them to be understood.
The RCSLT said the plan would “transform the outcomes of a generation of children,” according to the organisation’s head in Scotland. The proposal forms part of the body’s manifesto ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliament elections.
Under the proposal, a speech and language therapist would be embedded in every school and nursery in Scotland. When children with speech, language and communication needs do not receive the right support, they are significantly more likely to experience underachievement, mental health challenges and behavioural issues.
Evidence from Forth Valley, where a similar change has already been implemented, shows a significant improvement in outcomes for children when speech and language therapy services are delivered in schools.
Speaking as the manifesto was launched, Glenn Carter, head of RCSLT in Scotland, said:
“Embedding speech and language therapists in education could transform the outcomes of a generation of children, improve their learning and life chances. Embedding speech and language therapists in education-based teams allows us to support children earlier, prevent harm and build relationships that help us address complex challenges as a team.
“To do this, however, we need to invest in training so more people from all walks of life can enter the SLT profession. Since 2019, the SLT workforce in Scotland has grown by only four percent, compared to an average of 22 percent in the rest of the UK. We must pledge to rectify this and close the gap.
“The powerful impact of the early intervention of speech and language therapists cannot be underestimated. Our proposal is worthy of welcome from all political parties.”
Elsewhere in its manifesto, the RCSLT is calling for more resources for adult speech and language services to ensure access to quality community care, reduce hospital admissions, promote early identification and prevention of adverse outcomes, and ensure timely access to rehabilitation. Recent figures show that almost 2,800 adults are waiting to access speech and language therapy services in Scotland.
Alongside proposals to widen access to speech and language therapy training courses and strengthen communication rights through legislation, the RCSLT said the package of measures could make a transformational change to people’s lives.
Carter added:
“Scotland’s ageing population poses new challenges for health services. By enabling safe swallowing, which is the largest part of our work with adults, speech and language therapists ensure patients are fed and hydrated, avoid serious medical complications and ultimately prevent them ending up in hospital.”
“Speech and language therapy will also be vital for the one in five of us who will experience communication difficulties in our lifetimes. Communication is a fundamental human right and we believe legislation is required to ensure that anyone with communication difficulties can access public services.”
The proposals will now be considered by political parties ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections, with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists urging cross-party support.
Featured image credit: Andy Maciver