Advice on referrals, thank you ...

[MUM2BLESS]

Hi Everyone

Doing a NVQ3 course. Trying to understand how referrals work.

As a childminder if I had a concern about a child's speech or hearling etc. of course I would speak to the parents about it then whats the next step? Will it always be the doctor or do they go direct to the speech therapist? Would love some advice.

Trying to put in some time with the assessment so tht I can relax over the christmas.

Thanks for your advice grin]

I'm a childminder who has mentioned to parents about speech & language and hearing problems and have advised them to speak to Dr or Health Visitor. There is a process we can use to help parents but that's more for when parents seem to be getting nowhere so we can help them get the right support.

As a parent, I have spoken to my Health Visitor about my own child's speech and he's on the waiting list for Speech and Language Therapy. He's already had a hearing test (good to check both with these things) as the waiting list wasn't so long but due to it not being 100%, he's going back in a few months to retest.

Not sure if any of that helps? Good luck :)

I would say speak to the parent and then follow up with a letter detailing my concerns

The usual route for the parent to take in my area is to see the child's HV and follow the advice given by the HV (usually referral)

If you have concerns that are not being addressed by the parents then ring your early Years Officer for advice

However unless you have parental permission or child protection issues then you cannot take the child to a HCP yourself

So our role is more about alerting parents to a possible issue and then supporting them through a process; we are not HCP and should not attempt to diagnose/treat a condition we think a child may have

Hope this helps

Thank you so much for your time and advice, much appreciated.

Another question, you mentioned support parents through a process, how is that done? would that be by listening to them or is there anything particular we should be doing?

Never had to do this before but I need to know what to do for one of my assignments.

Mostly by listening, by offering to accompany the parents to a consultation (might have to rejig other children present, swap a day for eg), by making yourself available out of hours to discuss developments

Also the CM could research a condition - eg you think or the parents think that a child might have say, oh um, Dyspraxia, then read about the condition, tell the parents if you find any support websites

And again, refer to your Early years Officer for guidance too

BOYS... thank you so much.

no worries, I have done the CACHE level 3 (now defunct) and I FEEL YOUR PAIN

what is the title of your assignment? I might be able to offer a few more pointers if any of mine kind of match ? (did mine 2 years ago)

Also support not only by being knowledgeable about the condition but also the process (how long a wait is normal etc) and providing reassurance that you'll support any measures the SALT or whoever puts in place.

ROund here with the parents permission we ring the SALT at the children's centre who talks to the parent & then visits the child initially at the childminders to assess whether it's worth taking further

oh yes, Frakk, that's very important, showing that you are willing and ready to work with other professionals

good point

I guess giving parents copies of observations to take to appointments might be helpful? Or at least offering them? And carrying out any extra obs.

Is it specifically about speech/hearing or referrals in general?

Thanks everyone, trust you had a lovely christmas. Happy New Year when it comes.