Many years ago, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) published a position paper encouraging positive working relationships between public and independent speech and language therapy providers.
At that time, independent practitioners were relatively few in number, and if there were any company providers we certainly weren’t aware of them back then. Independent practitioners were viewed with a degree of caution by NHS colleagues, and opportunities for collaboration were limited. We can say that with authority, as both Soundswell Directors – Diana and Jo, were NHS service managers at the time.
The landscape has changed considerably since then.
Today, schools and families can access support from a diverse range of providers, including NHS services, independent practitioners, social enterprises, traded services and specialist companies such as Soundswell Speech. Many speech and language therapists now work across both public and independent sectors, bringing valuable knowledge, experience and perspectives from each.
This evolution has created greater choice and flexibility for schools and settings. More importantly, it has created new opportunities for collaborative working that ultimately benefits children and young people.
Why Collaboration Matters More Than Ever
The need for effective partnership working has never been greater.
Schools are supporting increasing numbers of children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). More pupils with complex needs are being educated within mainstream settings, often supported through specialist resource provisions and inclusive practice models.
At the same time, both education and health services continue to face significant pressures on resources, staffing and capacity.
Against this backdrop, collaboration is not simply desirable – it is essential.
As professionals, we all share a responsibility to work together effectively, minimise duplication and ensure that available resources are used in the most efficient and impactful way possible.
Collaboration Starts at the Front Line
Strong relationships between therapists, SENDCOs and school leaders can help ensure support is coordinated, complementary and responsive to need. In many schools, NHS and independent therapists work together successfully, agreeing how caseloads can be managed and how provision can be organised to maximise the number of pupils receiving appropriate support.
When communication is open and constructive, children, families and schools benefit.
This type of collaborative approach also helps ensure that recommendations are consistent, interventions are aligned and staff receive clear, coherent guidance.
Understanding Different Roles and Responsibilities
However, making strategic links with NHS service leads is also important. As independent providers, it is important that we understand the NHS core offer, the constraints i.e. what public sector services are commissioned to provide, and staffing challenges (sometimes the process of filling an NHS vacancy can take months).
Independent providers have greater flexibility in how services are commissioned and delivered – our driver is what the school wants; how they want us to use the time they have commissioned. Shaped by the priorities identified by schools and settings, it allows provision to be tailored to local needs.
Building Stronger Strategic Partnerships
At Soundswell Speech, we greatly value the positive relationships we have established with senior leaders in the NHS therapy services in the areas where we work. We look forward to continuing to strengthen these partnerships and exploring new opportunities for collaborative working in the future.
Looking Ahead
As the needs of children and young people continue to evolve, and as schools face increasing demands on their resources, working together effectively will be critical to ensuring the best possible outcomes.
Diana and Jo are members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists’ Clinical Excellence Network, SLTs on the Same Team. The group has recently produced a valuable Collaborative Working Maps resource, bringing together current guidance and best practice relating to collaboration across speech and language therapy services.
The changing provider landscape and the opportunities it presents for schools, services and therapists are explored in more detail in our second book Building an Independent Speech and Language Therapy Practice – A guide by Soundswell Speech
Ultimately, regardless of the service we work for, we need to work in harmony as we share the same goal: ensuring that children and young people receive the support they need to communicate, participate and thrive.
