The information below about the role of a speech and language therapist (SLT) has been adapted from information provided by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) and NHS Careers.

What does a speech and language therapist (SLT) do?

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) describe speech and language therapy as helping manage disorders of speech, language, communication and swallowing in children and adults.

Speech and language therapists assess and treat a person with specific speech, language and communication problems to enable them to communicate to the best of their ability. They work directly with people of all ages. As allied health professionals they also work closely with parents, carers and other professionals, including teachers, nurses and occupational therapists.

There are around 13,000 practising SLTs in the UK and around 2.5 million people in the UK have a speech or language difficulty:

• 5% of children enter school with difficulties in speech and language
• 30% of people who have had a stroke have a persisting speech and language disorder

In the US the term used is speech and language pathologist (SLP).

Examples of when an SLT can help

Babies:

• early play and communication skills
• feeding and swallowing difficulties

Children:

• mild, moderate or severe learning difficulties
• physical disabilities
• language delay
• specific language impairment
• specific difficulties in producing sounds
• hearing impairment
• cleft palate
• stammering
• autism/social interaction difficulties
• dyslexia
• voice disorders
• selective mutism
• swallowing difficulties

Adults:

• communication and swallowing problems following acquired neurological impairments and degenerative conditions, including stroke, head injury, Parkinson’s disease and dementia
• head and neck cancer
• voice problems
• mental health issues
• learning difficulties
• physical disabilities
• stammering
• hearing impairment

Where do speech and language therapists work?

• community health centres
• hospital wards
• outpatient departments
• schools
• children’s centres
• day centres
• clients’ homes
• courtrooms
• prisons
• young offenders’ institutions
• independent/private practice

Speech and language therapy also has support roles such as assistant practitioner, assistant speech and language therapist, support worker and bilingual co-worker.

How can I find a speech and language therapist?

You can refer yourself to your local NHS speech and language therapy service. Or ask your GP, district nurse, health visitor, nursery staff or teacher to make a referral. Contact your local primary care trust (PCT) or GP surgery for the phone number of your local NHS speech and language therapy service. For more information visit: RCSLT online directory.

NHS therapists are members of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (Cert. MRCSLT) and must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

You can find a private SLT at the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP).

ASLTIP members are certified members of The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (Cert. MRCSLT) and must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
2 White Hart Yard
London
SE1 1NX
Tel: 020 7378 1200
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.rcslt.org.uk

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
184-186 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: +44 (0)20 7582 5460
Website: https://www.hcpc-uk.org

• Careers Leaflet available to download from NHS Careers

Although we believe this information to be accurate, we strongly advise you to make your own independent enquiries.