Title: Project Get Talking – a Homerton University NHS Foundation Trust solution to school children’s mental health by tackling the Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) resource crisis.
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: Approximately 1.4 million children and young people (CYP) in the UK have Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). 81% of children with emotional and behaviour disorders have unidentified SLCN. For CYP presenting to mental health services 45% have communication difficulties. Without support many CYP are at risk of poor academic achievement, mental health and life outcomes. In areas of poverty the problem is only amplified. Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) makes a huge difference to CYP if delivered by a therapist, in their school and community, alongside activities, resources and strategies to up-skill people in a CYP s life. There are 17,000 trained therapists for child and adult services in the UK, a very limited number to meet all of the needs of CYP. The funding for local community SaLT services varies dramatically and impacts not only which children are seen, but also how much therapy they get. Improving good communication skills by aged five is a national priority, with investment from government departments for improvement and reduction of inequalities. Since adapting digitally for COVID-19 lockdown, Homerton NHS SaLT team achieved the same or better outcomes via a novel virtual SaLT service. Providing therapy online at school meant that more people in a CYP s life could access resources and coaching and there was in increase in engagement. Therapists were also able to reduce travel and increase the number of CYP they saw. We are now on a mission to improve the lives of all CYP with SLCN and this project aims to provide a digital SaLT service in geographical locations who do not have access to enough therapy services locally. Homerton NHS SaLT team, in partnership with Bl&uuml;m Health Ltd aim to develop a unique web application to provide a platform for schools to access therapy, resources, training and discussion. This web application will provide a personalised and interactive SaLT platform for CYP, education staff and families. It aims to address the imminent supply vs. demand imbalance, breakdown inequality barriers and enable CYP nationwide to receive virtual SaLT support. It will educate schools to better support CYP, improve identification and enable intervention to be provided in the community and provide direct therapy appropriately. This results in more efficient care pathways with intervention and training provided to CYP in the environment where they spend the majority of time. This de-localised, digital approach breaks down geographical barriers and increases awareness of the impacts of SLCN on CYP s mental health. It will prioritise communication development in school for those most in need, therefore contributing to improved mental health outcomes for CYP. Opportunity to access SaLT support will reduce unnecessary referrals to other services, improve life outcomes and reduce longer term societal costs of SLCN.

Lay abstract: Approximately 1.4 million children and young people (CYP) in the UK have Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). 81% of children with emotional and behaviour disorders have unidentified SLCN. For CYP presenting to mental health services 45% have communication difficulties. Without support many CYP are at risk of poor academic achievement, mental health and life outcomes. In areas of poverty the problem is only amplified. Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) makes a huge difference to CYP if delivered by a therapist, in their school and community, alongside activities, resources and strategies to up-skill people in a CYP s life. There are 17,000 trained therapists for child and adult services in the UK, a very limited number to meet all of the needs of CYP. The funding for local community SaLT services varies dramatically and impacts not only which children are seen, but also how much therapy they get. Improving good communication skills by aged five is a national priority, with investment from government departments for improvement and reduction of inequalities. Since adapting digitally for COVID-19 lockdown, Homerton NHS SaLT team achieved the same or better outcomes via a novel virtual SaLT service. Providing therapy online at school meant that more people in a CYP s life could access resources and coaching and there was in increase in engagement. Therapists were also able to reduce travel and increase the number of CYP they saw. We are now on a mission to improve the lives of all CYP with SLCN and this project aims to provide a digital SaLT service in geographical locations who do not have access to enough therapy services locally. Homerton NHS SaLT team, in partnership with Bl&uuml;m Health Ltd aim to develop a unique web application to provide a platform for schools to access therapy, resources, training and discussion. This web application will provide a personalised and interactive SaLT platform for CYP, education staff and families. It aims to address the imminent supply vs. demand imbalance, breakdown inequality barriers and enable CYP nationwide to receive virtual SaLT support. It will educate schools to better support CYP, improve identification and enable intervention to be provided in the community and provide direct therapy appropriately. This results in more efficient care pathways with intervention and training provided to CYP in the environment where they spend the majority of time. This de-localised, digital approach breaks down geographical barriers and increases awareness of the impacts of SLCN on CYP s mental health. It will prioritise communication development in school for those most in need, therefore contributing to improved mental health outcomes for CYP. Opportunity to access SaLT support will reduce unnecessary referrals to other services, improve life outcomes and reduce longer term societal costs of SLCN.

Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH