Speech, language and communication

Supporting your child’s speech, language and communication at home

There are many simple and effective ways you can support your child's speech, language, and communication development at home. One of the most powerful tools is learning through play, which makes language development fun and engaging.

Here are some ideas you can try:

• Follow your child’s lead during play and talk about what they’re doing. This helps them connect words with actions and objects.
• Watch for and respond to all your child’s communication attempts, this includes gestures, facial expressions, and pointing, not just words.
• Use books, songs, and rhymes to spark conversations and build vocabulary in a fun and familiar way.
• Explore new places like parks, libraries, and museums to introduce your child to a wide range of words and experiences.

Find out more by visiting the B-Hive website, which offers a wealth of information and practical resources for families.

Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) Services in Bromley

If your child has difficulties with speech, language, or communication, there are a range of local services in Bromley designed to support you and your family. These services are part of a collaborative approach involving health, education, and care professionals.

B-Hive – Bromley Therapy Hub

B-Hive is a central online hub created by Bromley Council and local health services. It brings together a wide range of therapy services and resources for children and young people aged 0 to 25. It includes:

• Age-specific advice from birth to 25 years
• Activities to support early speech and language development
• Tips for improving attention, listening, and understanding
• Guidance on the importance of play in communication
• Videos, apps, and toolkits to support children with a range of speech and language needs
• Information on both targeted and specialist services available in Bromley

Visit B-Hive SLCN Hub

Children’s Speech and Language Therapy – Bromley Healthcare

The children’s speech and language therapy service from Bromley Healthcare offers assessments, advice and therapy for early years and school aged children and young people, and in some cases from 18 to 25 years with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan, often referred to as an EHCP). The service works with children, families, carers and staff in pre-schools and schools, to help develop children’s understanding, talking and communication skills. 

The service aims to provide assessment and support to children and young people who may have speech, language and communication difficulties or problems with their eating and drinking (swallowing) skills.

This service is open to children and young people registered to a Bromley GP or attending a Bromley school.

The Children’s Speech and Language Therapy service can be reached on 0300 330 5777 or email bromh.cypreferrals@nhs.net.

Assessment for early years children

Before they start school, children can be referred to the speech and language therapy team by a Health Visitor (HV), GP, nursery/preschool setting, or any other professional. Parents also have the option to self-refer.

Once a referral is received, it is triaged. In most cases, parents are directed to book an Advice Session at a local Children and Family Centre (C&FC). These short sessions provide an opportunity for parents or carers to discuss their concerns, receive guidance, and agree on next steps. This may include reassurance, further advice, a follow-up visit, or a referral for targeted or specialist preschool group interventions.

Children with safeguarding concerns, complex medical needs, or families who need an interpreter, may be seen directly in a clinic for assessment.

Support for school-aged children and young people

If you have concerns about a stammer or eating and drinking skills for a school-aged child, you can self-refer directly into the Bromley Healthcare Service by phoning 0300 330 5777 or emailing bromh.cypreferrals@nhs.net. Please tell us your child’s full name and date of birth when you get in touch.

If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language and communication skills, you should speak with their class teacher or the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) first of all. A range of support is ordinarily available in Bromley schools for children with speech, language and communication needs. This includes classroom strategies and small group support delivered by trained staff in school. Schools are able to put this support in place as soon as concerns arise and monitor your child’s progress to determine whether a referral to the speech and language therapy service is needed. Lots of children make progress through school-led speech and language support.

If further advice is needed, the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is able to make a referral to the speech and language therapy team. When they do this, they will outline any concerns you and/or the school have, what support has already been put in place and how your child is progressing.

All Bromley mainstream schools have a link speech and language therapist who will work with your child’s SENCO to help form a support plan. This could include discussion, observation, inclusion in therapist or school-led groups or specialist assessment. For school-aged children, speech and language therapy is delivered in school, in collaboration with teaching and support staff.

Children who do not attend a Bromley mainstream school are invited to be seen in clinic.

Find a speech and language therapist

The Association of Speech and Language Therapists website, provides a search facility where you can find qualified and registered speech and language therapists that you can buy services from directly. This can include both assessments and ongoing support. It is also possible to search by speciality, age and distance from your home.

All association members are registered members of both the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council and are committed to good business standards.

Specialist support for complex needs

For children with more complex or persistent difficulties, specialist services are available. These may include:

• Support for stammering, emerging selective mutism, and speech disorders
• One-to-one and group therapy sessions
• Collaboration with schools and other professionals

Referrals can be made by GPs, health visitors, teachers, or directly by parents.

Specialist support for eating, drinking and swallowing (dysphagia)

The service provides support for children and young people with eating and drinking swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).

Referrals to this service are through your doctor (GP), health visitor, paediatrician or teacher, and other health care professionals who might be seeing your child. The service also accepts self-referrals from parents.

SEN support in schools

Bromley schools follow a Graduated Approach.

This includes:

• Universal support in the classroom
• Targeted interventions
• Specialist input where needed (e.g. via an Education, Health and Care plan)