Agenda item

The Leicester Partnership Trust (LPT) submits a report to the Committee to provide information about Speech and Language Therapy Services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Leicester Partnership Trust (LPT) submitted a report to the Committee providing information about Speech and Language Therapy Services (SALTS) in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Group Director of Strategy and Partnerships provided an overview of the report. The following was noted:

·       The report included parental feedback on Early Language Support for Every Child ELSEC, which had been a focus at the previous Scrutiny meeting.

·       Performance information on SALTS waiting times were provided. 2024 had seen a drop in recorded performance for referral assessments, this had now recovered due to a balancing of resources.

·       The target was to keep monthly follow-up support at or below 4,000 young people, figures were currently just within threshold.

·       Schools were identified as a key source of support, and it was vital that teachers were able to provide sufficient assistance within the school setting. Developing the Expert at Hand Offer was key.

·       The focus was on developing ways to improve Family Empowerment.

·       The ICB had 3 key priorities, one of which was to give children and young people the best start.

In discussion with Committee Members and Officers, the following was noted:

·       The report included 5 years of performance data.

·       The SALTS pathway was dependent on need. The first appointment included both assessment and commencement of treatment. Some children might require several appointments, with others requiring lifelong support with links to SEND. Further data could come back to Scrutiny, including on numbers referred for community support.

·       Feedback demonstrated a high level of satisfaction for service users. Preferences were for intensive support, with early intervention.

·       It was vital to utilise professionals to their maximum to manage caseloads, preferably within the school setting. There was an inbuilt capacity of knowledge within the city schools.

·       The Expert at Hand offer was pending implementation. It was hoped that ELSEC could be rolled out as part of the offer.

·       LLR was one of nine locations across the country receiving additional funding of £2.2m under the Changing People Programme (CPP). ELSEC had already performed well. Funding updates would come via Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Scrutiny.

·       The 18 week target referenced the national Referral To Treatment (RTT) target.

·        The SEND Reform Plan had been established in a Central Government White Paper. Work was ongoing to embed the new policy.

·       All referrals were triaged on need and risk. It was noted that whilst clinical cases were remaining stable, referrals relating to delay were doubling due to increased need.  Research as to causation was ongoing. It was noted that poverty, screen time and modern family ways of living could all contribute to speech issues amongst children.

·       GPs and Health Workers constituted the largest number of referrals.

·       SALT was being embedded within the schools and long term case-loads would be reviewed.

·       A key challenge for the NHS, education and the Local Authority was preventative work and the implementation of early support.

·       Sufficient resilience was in place within the schools to enable the programme which would develop over time. NHS support would be provided to all schools.

·       The NHS had been requested to become the delivery programme manager, reporting to the Director of Children’s Services. Partnership working was key.

·       Members raised concerns about capacity and ‘burnout’ for young people and their families. It was noted that NHS services were working with young people and their families in numerous ways which included forums and wider engagement methods. The NHS was working with the City Council on Children’s strategies. Members were urged to champion the services available

·       Members recommended that the item return to Scrutiny as a joint item with Adult Education, CYPE Scrutiny and other relevant services such as CAHMS.

AGREED:

1)    That the Committee note the report.

2)    For figures to be circulated to members on community support referrals.

3)    Funding updates would come via Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Scrutiny.

4)    The item would return to Scrutiny with relevant stakeholders invited.