Small Talk in Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Birmingham

We are delighted to welcome a new speech and language therapist to our fabulous team: Denise Bain who can cover Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall, Birmingham and Wolverhampton for both assessment and therapy. We have known Denise for a while now and have been impressed with her positive attitude, desire to learn more and her obvious skills: 

I am Denise Bain, offering the Small Talk Speech and Language Therapy service in Birmingham and its surrounding areas. I am excited to join the Small Talk team and share in their commitment to ‘helping children reach their true potential’. I believe this can be achieved through early intervention, creating environments conducive to learning and individualising interventions to meet specific needs.

I have a degree in BA (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy and qualifications in Linguistics and Early Childhood Development. I am trained in Palin Parent Child Interaction and Camperdown (approaches used with children and young people who stammer).

I am fortunate to have experience working with children, young people and their parents/guardians a range of settings and capacities.

I work with children who find communication challenging or difficult: struggling to understand or use language or speech effectively at home, school or elsewhere.  These children include those with stammers, developmental language disorder, delayed speech, learning disabilities e.g. Down’s Syndrome, and social communication difficulties like those associated with ASD.

I can offer assessments and therapy interventions customised to the needs of child and family. I offer training, support and collaboration with families, teachers and other professionals so that we can work together towards positive outcomes for children with SLCN.

I can also offer pre-school communication groups an early intervention approach that can be utilised in early years settings.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me. I have flexible working hours and I am available in and out of term time.

Denise Bain

NHS vs Independent Speech and Language Therapy: what's the difference?

We are often asked about the differences between NHS and independent or private speech and language therapy. Georgina White explains more: 

Similarities:

·         Independent and NHS Speech and language therapists (SLTs) both have to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council i.e. all SLTs have to complete registered training and are committed to ongoing professional development.
·         All SLTs follow the same standards and ethics
·         All SLTs should be committed to multi-disciplinary team working i.e. working in collaboration with teachers, other health professionals; including other SLs
·         SLT’s are committed to continuing professional development, so many are trained in specialist areas of communication difficulties.

Differences:

·         The main difference between these two services is time! Typically, independent therapists offer immediate appointments for assessment; followed by therapy if required.
·         As independent therapists have more time available, they are able to offer more flexibility; especially in terms of where and when they can see clients. Often independent therapists prefer to see their clients, especially children at home; as this is where they are typically more comfortable.
·        However, time and flexibility comes at a cost as independent therapists charge for their time and experience.

Despite any differences or similarities in the SLT services, collaboration is vital. At Small Talk Speech and Language Therapy Ltd, we take great pride and consideration in involving all other professionals in a clients care pathway. We will work closely with other NHS SLT’s involved with our clients so that we can be sure that we are aiming for the same goals, and that families and clients can get the continuity of care they deserve, when and where possible.

Georgina White

www.private-speech-therapy.co.uk   0844 704 5888