Children's speech and language guidance for parents

The Wirral Communication and Language Pathway has been developed to ensure effective processes to support the development of children’s speech and language. We also provide details of how to find further information for you and your child.

The pathway gives you an overview of the pathway detailing your child’s possible journey from pre-birth, 0 to 1 years, 1 to 2 years and 2 to 3 years:

  1. Specialist - a referral is made for an individualised programme of support
  2. Targeted - a child's need identified. A time limited, tailored programme of support given. This is evidenced and monitored
  3. Universal - for all children: skilled and confident staff, high quality language provision and support for parents

Children can go up as well as back down levels. The graduated approach enhances smooth transitions. The integrated approach includes education, health, early years practitioners and parents.

The overview of the Pathway is as follows:

Universal

  Antenatal Birth to 1 Year
Key Message Stroke, Talk, Sing Look, Listen, Copy
Action Signpost to library, children's centre, community groups. Promote online services Signpost to library, children's centre, community groups. Promote online services
Assessment Holistic health needs assessment carried out by midwife Holistic health needs assessment carried out by health visiting team
Review Point Midwifery contact as per pathway. Health visiting team antenatal review Health visiting team contact as per routine Healthy Child Pathway
 

1 to 2 Year

2 to 3 Year
Key Message Chat, Play, Read Chat, Play, Read
Action Signpost to library, children's centre, community groups. Promote online services Signpost to library, children's centre, community groups. Promote online services
Assessment Community Speech and Language Check 2-year shared review or developmental review
Review Point No routine checks 2-year developmental check

Targeted

  Antenatal Birth to 1 Year
Action Refer to children's centre. Continue to promote key messages Refer to children's centre for baby babble. Continue to promote key messages
Assessment Early Help or Early Childhood Assessment Developmental Review
Review Point Minimum 6 weekly Minimum 6 weekly
 

1 to 2 Year

2 to 3 Year
Action Refer for WellComm screening. Continue to promote key messages Sound listening programme or Wellcomm screening. Continue to promote key messages
Assessment WellComm Screening Developmental Review
Review Point Minimum 6 weekly Minimum 6 weekly

Specialist

 

Antenatal

Birth to 1 Year
Action Refer to perinatal mental health midwives and liaison with health visiting services. Continue to promote key messages Refer speech and language therapy
Assessment Pre-birth midwifery or health visiting team assessment Developmental review and WellComm assessment
Review Point Minimum 6 weekly Minimum 6 weekly
 

1 to 2 Year

2 to 3 Year
Action Refer speech and language therapy. Continue to promote key messages Refer speech and language therapy. Continue to promote key messages
Assessment Developmental review and WellComm assessment Developmental review and WellComm assessment or sound listening programme
Review Point Minimum 6 weekly Minimum 6 weekly

A 17 to 19 month checklist is available for you to quickly check if your child’s speech and language development is on track. Please contact your nearest Children’s Centre below.

Contact us

Birkenhead Children’s Centre
2 Brassey Street
Birkenhead, CH41 8DA
Telephone: 0151 666 3323

Wallasey Children’s Centre
St Paul’s Road
Seacombe, CH44 7AN
Telephone: 0151 666 3506

South and West Children’s Centre
Gratrix Road
Bromborough, CH62 7BW
Telephone: 0151 666 3246

0-19 Health and Wellbeing Team
Telephone: 0151 514 0219

Alternatively, contact your child’s early years setting.