Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we offer a free initial telephone consult to discuss your child’s specific needs, options available and the most appropriate next steps. Please contact us directly to arrange this.

No, a referral is not necessary. Please get in touch and we can arrange an appointment directly.

An initial feeding assessment usually takes place at a regular meal or snack time in your home or in your child’s nursery or school setting. During the initial appointment, your therapist will assess many aspects of your child’s eating and mealtime skills. For more information about what to expect during a feeding assessment with South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy, please click here.

The initial speech and language assessment is a time for you and your child’s Speech and Language Therapist to work together to determine what areas of speech and language are working well for your child and how to support any difficulties. For more information about what to expect during a speech and language assessment with South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy, please click here.

Recommendations for frequency of speech and language or feeding support are based on your child’s skills and specific needs. Following the initial assessment appointment, we will discuss our recommendations with you and agree a therapy plan going forward.

South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy follows a parent coaching model; therefore, a key part of our sessions will be to support you to understand how to create opportunities and interactions throughout the day that support your child’s feeding and communication learning. This means your child will be engaged in targeted learning as a part of their day-to-day activities with you and not just during direct speech, language or feeding therapy sessions.

Yes, small group sessions provide your with child focused time to learn and practise speech, language and/or feeding skills with friends and are as effective as one-on-one sessions.

When appropriate, children who attend the same education setting may be offered small group therapy sessions. During small group sessions, each child focuses on their individual speech, language or feeding targets while participating in a group activity or playing a group game. Your child’s speech and language therapist will provide individualised support to your child throughout the session. Small group sessions provide your child with guided practise with their specific therapy targets as well as the opportunity to develop their listening and turn-taking skills.

Feeding and communication challenges can vary greatly from one child to another, as can a child’s development and rate of learning; meaning, we cannot predict when a child will achieve their feeding or communication goals.

We know that children make the most progress when parents are confident supporting their development as a part of day-to-day activities which is why South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy follows a parent coaching model. As a part of our sessions with your child, we will support you to understand how to create opportunities and interactions throughout the day that support your child’s feeding and communication learning. This means your child will be engaged in targeted learning as a part of their day-to-day activities with you and not just during direct speech, language or feeding therapy sessions.

Yes, we offer home visits as well as nursery and school visits. We also are able to see some children in a clinic space in Kendal town centre and offer video appointments.

After each appointment, whether the appointment is at home or your child’s education setting, we will provide you with a written summary of key points from the session including specific strategies and homework activities for you (and your child’s nursery or school where relevant) to practise before our next session. We also are happy to speak with you on the telephone and via text message or email between sessions if you have any questions.

South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy follows a parent coaching model which highlights the importance of parents and caregivers feeling confident in how to support their child’s development.

Yes, we are happy to work with children who also receive input from the NHS, and with your consent we will liaise with your child’s NHS therapist to ensure a coordinated effort.

Yes, we are happy to provide you with a second opinion regarding your child’s feeding and/or communication skills and needs. Please contact us directly to discuss your requirements.

Yes, South Lakes Speech & Language Therapy offers a variety of workshops centred around children’s feeding and communication. If there is a specific topic on which you would like training, we are happy to create a tailor-made workshop to meet your needs. Please see our Workshops page or get in touch for more information.