Speech & Language Screening Service – Terms & Conditions
These Terms & Conditions apply when a parent or carer books a Speech & Language Screening for their child through our school screening service.
1. About the screening
The screening is a brief speech and language screening designed to identify whether a child may have speech, language and/or communication needs that would benefit from further advice, monitoring or assessment.
A screening is not a full speech and language therapy assessment and does not provide a diagnosis.
Following the screening, parents/carers will receive a written feedback form within 14 days. This will indicate whether:
their child's skills appear to be developing as expected for their age;
monitoring and environmental strategies are recommended, with specific strategies and guidance provided on the feedback form; or
further assessment and support are recommended.
2. Information before the screening
Before the screening takes place, we will request relevant background information from:
the child's parent/carer; and
the child's school.
This information helps the Speech and Language Therapist understand the child's communication in different settings and informs the screening process.
Information provided by parents/carers will not be shared with the school as part of this process.
The information collected will be stored securely within our clinical records system and handled in accordance with UK GDPR and applicable data protection law.
3. Sharing screening results with the school
The child's screening feedback is provided to the parent/carer.
We will not share the child's screening feedback form or screening results with the school unless the parent/carer has given prior consent for us to do so.
Where consent has been provided, relevant screening information may be shared with appropriate school staff to support the child's communication and any recommendations arising from the screening.
4. Parent/carer consent
The person making the booking must be the child's parent/carer or otherwise have appropriate authority to arrange the screening.
Following booking, parents/carers will be asked to complete the required pre-screening information and consent documentation.
These must be completed before the screening can take place.
5. Screening arrangements
Screenings take place at the child's school during the screening period stated at the time of booking.
Booking a screening reserves a place during that screening period. It does not guarantee a particular appointment time unless this has been expressly confirmed.
Screening arrangements may occasionally need to change because of school circumstances, child absence, therapist availability or other circumstances outside our reasonable control.
6. Payment
Payment is required at the time of booking.
A child's screening place is confirmed once payment has been successfully received.
7. Cancellations and rescheduling
If you need to cancel your child's screening, including because your child will be absent from school, please provide at least 48 hours' notice.
To cancel or request a change to your 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 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.
If South West Speech Therapy cancels your child's screening and is unable to offer a suitable alternative, the screening fee will be refunded in full.
8. Following the screening
Parents/carers will receive written feedback following the screening, as described in Section 1.
The outcome may include recommendations for monitoring, strategies to support the child, further assessment, or other appropriate next steps.
Any further assessment or therapy recommended following the screening is not included in the screening fee.
Where further assessment or therapy is recommended, parents may choose whether they wish to access this support through South West Speech Therapy. There is no obligation to continue with our service.
If parents choose to continue with South West Speech Therapy, the cost of their child's screening (£35 or £50, depending on the screening undertaken) will be deducted from the cost of their subsequent assessment or therapy.
9. Privacy and clinical records
Information collected as part of the screening process will be used for the purposes of providing the screening service and maintaining an appropriate clinical record.
Clinical information, including pre-screening information, screening findings and feedback, will be stored securely within our clinical records system and handled in accordance with applicable data protection requirements.
Parents/carers will be asked to complete the relevant clinical records and consent documentation before the screening takes place.
If a child subsequently continues with South West Speech Therapy for further assessment or therapy, their screening information will form part of their ongoing clinical record.
10. Agreement to these terms
By booking and paying for a screening, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Completion of the booking does not replace any separate clinical consent that we require before carrying out the screening.