Speech & Language Screening FAQs
Here you'll find answers to some common questions about our school-based Speech & Language Screening service.
What happens after I book?
Once your booking and payment have been received, your child's screening place is confirmed.
You will receive an automatic order confirmation by email. Our administration team will then contact you separately with a pre-screening questionnaire and consent form, which must be completed before your child's screening.
We will also contact your child's school separately to gather relevant information before the screening.
I haven't received my booking confirmation. What should I do?
Your order confirmation is sent automatically to the email address provided when you book.
Please check your junk or spam folder, as automated emails can occasionally be filtered there.
If you still can't find your confirmation, please contact our administration team at admin@southwestSLT.co.uk.
When will my child's screening take place?
Your child's screening will take place at their school during the screening week stated on your school's booking page.
Your booking reserves a place during that screening period rather than a specific appointment time.
Do I need to attend the screening?
No. The screening will take place during the school day and you do not need to attend.
We will gather relevant information from you before the screening through the parent pre-screening questionnaire.
What information will you ask me for?
Following booking, we will send you a short pre-screening questionnaire.
This helps us understand your main questions about your child's communication, together with relevant background information and your perspective on their speech, language and/or communication skills.
Information you provide to us through your parent questionnaire will not be shared with the school as part of this process.
Will you speak to my child's school?
Yes. We will ask an appropriate member of school staff to complete a short pre-screening questionnaire about your child's speech, language and communication within the school environment.
What happens during the screening?
Your child will meet with a Speech and Language Therapist at school in a quiet space for a brief screening of the relevant areas of their speech, language and/or communication. During this time they will look at pictures and play with toys, the screening is designed to feel like play to your child.
The screening is designed to help identify whether your child's skills appear to be developing as expected for their age or whether monitoring, strategies, further assessment or support may be helpful.
A screening is not a full Speech and Language Therapy assessment and does not provide a diagnosis.
What happens after the screening?
You will receive a written feedback form within 14 days of your child's screening.
The feedback will indicate whether:
your child's skills appear to be developing as expected for their age;
monitoring and environmental strategies are recommended, with specific strategies and guidance provided; or
further assessment and support are recommended.
Will my child's school receive the results?
Only if you give us permission.
As part of your pre-screening documentation, you will be asked whether you consent to your child's written screening feedback being shared with their school.
If you do not give permission, the feedback will be provided to you and will not be shared with the school.
What happens if further assessment or therapy is recommended?
Your feedback will explain any recommended next steps.
You may choose whether you wish to access further assessment or therapy through South West Speech Therapy. There is no obligation to continue with our service.
If you choose to continue with South West Speech Therapy, the cost of your child's screening (£35 or £50, depending on the screening undertaken) will be deducted from the cost of their subsequent assessment or therapy.
What happens if my child will be absent?
If you know that your child will be absent from school when their screening is due to take place, please contact our administration team as soon as possible.
Where at least 48 hours' notice is provided, we will aim to reschedule the screening within the available school screening period.
Where less than 48 hours' notice is provided, we may not be able to offer an alternative screening appointment. In this situation, the screening fee will be refunded less a £5 administration fee.
How do I cancel or change my child's screening?
Please contact our administration team at admin@southwestSLT.co.uk.
Where at least 48 hours' notice is provided, we will aim to reschedule your child's screening within the available school screening period.
Where less than 48 hours' notice is provided, we may not be able to offer an alternative screening appointment and the screening fee will be refunded less a £5 administration fee.
What happens if South West Speech Therapy has to cancel?
If South West Speech Therapy cancels your child's screening, we will aim to offer a suitable alternative.
If we are unable to do so, your screening fee will be refunded in full.
I have another question. Who should I contact?
Please contact our administration team at admin@southwestSLT.co.uk and we'll be happy to help.