Referrals

If you are unsure whether to refer your child to the speech and language therapy service, please speak to a health or education professional - for example, a health visitor, pre-school or school SENCo.

You could also take a look at Speech and Language UK Ages and Stages for typical stages of speech and language development from birth to 17 years.

All local authority schools within Peterborough have a link therapist.

Click on the link to find out more about the Link therapist role [pdf] 258KB.

If you are unsure who your link therapist is, please contact the service.

Pre-school referrals: Telephone advice line

If you are concerned about your child's speech, language or communication, please book a telephone advice line appointment to speak to one of our therapists via this link: Speech and Language Therapy Telephone Drop-in

If your child is starting school in September 2026 please do notbook a telephone advice line slot.  Due to our wait times, we will be unable to see your child before they start school.

We advise you to speak to your school SENCo about your concerns when your child starts school. In the meantime, please see our toolkit for activities and advice while you are waiting.

We are aware that sometimes our slots are fully booked for the month. If you are attempting to book and there are no telephone advice slots left, please check back on the first of the month, as more slots are added.

In the meantime, please do look at our resources under ‘early language’, ‘early communication’ and 'late talkers'—  Speech and Language Therapy Toolkit r esources section for support.

Whilst waiting to speak to a speech and language therapist you can also access support and advice at your local family centre or nursery setting by clicking this link:  https://peterborough.barnardos.org.uk/  

Please note this service is for parents and carers of pre-school children aged 0-5 who have a Peterborough GP.

If you live and / or are registered with a GP in Cambridgeshire, please click this link:  Cambridgeshire Speech and Language Therapy Service

If your child is school-aged, please see the 'Primary School Age Referrals' section.

For any queries regarding the correct service, please e-mail us at cpm-tr.SLTmailforparents@nhs.net

If you have significant concerns regarding your child's general development or social interaction, please speak to your health visitor or early years setting as they should be able to support you with completing an early help assessment so that your child can access more specialist services.

Primary school-age referrals

For children attending a primary school/educational setting, we ask that the referral forms are completed and sent to the service via the school SENCo. Therefore, we encourage parents with concerns to speak to their school SENCo to support them with this process. We welcome parents to contact us at any time where there are difficulties with this process or if you have questions.

E-mail us here: cpm-tr.sltmailforparents@nhs.net

Speech and/or Language Concerns

Please complete the following:

Please can we ask schools send in one e-mail per a child and attach appropriate forms as separate attachments.  

Non-speaking or minimally speaking children

Children who stammer

  • Complete the  Stammering referral form[docx] 285KB . Please note that referrals for children who stammer can also be made by parents or other professionals. It is also beneficial for the relevant language screening tool below (depending on age) to be completed if possible.

Eating and drinking concerns

Voice

  • Please see the voice section in the drop-down menu.

 Screening tools (as of September 2026)

For video guidance on how to complete the screens, please see links below:

Home-educated children

Please follow the referral process as above.

If you are a parent or carer of a child with speech sounds and / or language needs, and are unsure how to gather evidence of implementing specific interventions at home, please contact us at  cpm-tr.sltmailforparents@nhs.net

Please note:  Our service continues to be under high demand and our waiting times for assessment are long.

In the meantime, please take a look at our online toolkit in the following link with ideas of how you can support your child at home:  https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/speech-and-language-therapy-toolkit

Secondary school-age referrals

For children and young people of secondary school age, all referrals into our team come via our request for involvement process unless they are for stammering, eating or drinking concerns or voice difficulties. For these specialist referrals please see the relevant sections below:

All other secondary school-aged children or young people (speech sounds, language, non/minimally speaking) can be referred via the request for involvement process.

If you are a parent or carer, please note that all referrals are made via the following request for involvement process which is led by your child or young person’s school SENCo.

If you have concerns and would like your child to be referred, please speak with your child’s SENCo who will be able to make a request for involvement if required.

The request for involvement process                       

Every school has a link speech and language therapist who can support them in developing speech, language and communication provision throughout the school including discussing and managing referrals into the service. 

In order to make a request for involvement, we require consent from parents and carers and relevant screening information to help us identify the young person’s specific needs. 

All paperwork and screening information must be sent into us via email to  cpm-tr.SLTmailforparents@nhs.net.   The information we require and paperwork are outlined below:

 Request for involvement tick list

  • Identify concerns and complete relevant screening tool/s, referral form, parent or carer consent form and young person’s views
  • Send all paperwork via e-mail to us at cpm-tr.SLTmailforparents@nhs.net. Please put ‘secondary request for involvement’ in the e-mail subject line. Please can we ask schools send in one email per a child and attach appropriate forms as separate attachments.

Please note, a request for involvement meeting is no longer mandatory for secondary-age referrals.  

What happens after a request for involvement is made?

Advice and next steps will be provided, and one of the following will then be agreed:

  • The therapist may advise that a referral is not required at this time as your child or young person’s communication appears typical from the evidence given.  
  • The therapist may give some advice to the SENCo and suggest strategies that may support the young person in school.
  • The therapist may decide that they would like to directly assess your child or young person which will involve a face-to-face appointment.

 What to expect at an assessment appointment?  

The appointment will tend to take place in school. Appointments tend to last anywhere from an hour to two hours, depending on your child or young person and their needs. The assessment may take place over two visits.

During the appointment, the therapist may: 

  • Observe the young person and have a chat with them about what they find easy and difficult in relation to their communication.
  • Complete some informal or formal assessments with the young person.
  • Discuss the young person with a member of teaching staff.

The therapist will then write a report with recommended strategies and advice that will be shared with you and school. If you have any questions once receiving this report, you are welcome to contact the service.

Whilst waiting you may find it helpful to look at our online toolkit with ideas of how you can support your young person at home: https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/speech-and-language-therapy-toolkit

Home-educated children

Please follow the referral process as above.

If you have any questions about completing the process above, please contact us at  cpm-tr.SLTmailforparents@nhs.net  and our team would be happy to support you.

Please note

Our service continues to be under high demand and therefore our waiting times for assessment are long.

In the meantime, please take a look at our online toolkit with ideas of how you can support your child at home: https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/speech-and-language-therapy-toolkit

Stammering referrals

Please note that referrals for children who stammer can be made by parents or other professionals as well as via the school referral pathway.

Referrals from from parents, GPs, and other professionals

Referrals from school

  • Complete the Stammering referral form 285KB
  • It is also beneficial for the relevant language screening tool (depending on age) to be completed if possible. Please see below. For more details on school age referrals please view school-age referrals drop down.

Screening tools (as of September 2025)

For video guidance on how to complete the screens, please see links below:

 All paperwork and screening information must be sent into us via email to cpm-tr.sltmailforparents@nhs.net at least two weeks prior to the request for involvement discussion meeting.

  • Please include 'request for involvement' and the date of your meeting in the e-mail subject line.
  • Schools should send one e-mail per child with the relevant forms attached as separate files

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the service at cpm-tr.SLTmailforparents@nhs.net

Special school referrals

A request for involvement from the service for speech, language and communication support can be made by the child or young person’s class teacher using the appropriate request for involvement form below: 

All schools must also ensure that parents or carers complete the following form: Parent/Carer Consent Form for Special School RFI.docx 233KB

Please ensure that the relevant request for involvement form and the parent or carer consent form are both completed and e-mailed along with the child or young person’s most recent EHC Plan to cpm-tr.SLTmailforparents@nhs.net

The link therapist for your school will then triage the referral. They may contact the class teacher, parents or carers if they have any questions or need any further information before making a decision regarding the referral.

For eating and/or drinking concerns please complete this separate referral form: Eating and Drinking referral form.docx[docx] 245KB

Please note

Referrals into the service for other specialist schools or settings (for example, Marshfields, NeneGate, Richard Barnes Academy) are to follow the primary school and secondary school referral processes as detailed in the drop-downs above.

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Eating and drinking referrals

If you have concerns over a child's eating or drinking and are a professional, please complete the following referral form (includes parent or carer consent) and e-mail it into our service at cpm-tr.SLTmailforparents@nhs.net

Click here for the referral form for Eating and Drinking.docx 245KB

If you are a parent, in the first instance, please visit your child’s GP or discuss your concerns with the health visitor.

Voice referrals

If you have concerns about your child’s voice or your child has lost their voice for more than three weeks, you should see your GP to request a referral to the ear, nose and throat department at the hospital. The ear, nose and throat consultant will carry out an examination of the larynx (voicebox).

If they consider it appropriate, they will make a referral to the children's speech and language therapy team.

We are only able to accept referrals once the child has had this ear, nose and throat examination. 

What should I expect at my child’s appointment?  

Once your child has been seen by the ear, nose and throat department and a referral has been made to the speech and language therapy team, we will offer an initial assessment appointment with a speech and language therapist.

Your child's appointment will take place in clinic or at your child's school.

Please be prepared to discuss your concerns regarding your child’s voice.

The therapist will ask you questions about your child’s voice and the impact on their everyday life. For older children, it can be helpful if they contribute to this discussion.

The appointment tends to last an hour. Another appointment may be arranged to complete the assessment if necessary.

During the appointment, the therapist may:

  • Discuss the findings from your child's ear, nose and throat appointment.
  • Talk about how the voice works.
  • Discuss your child's voice difficulties with you.
  • Provide advice on how you and your child can support your child's voice.