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How expert voices will shape WAIT-UP SLT: A look at our advisory groups


Research should be designed and carried out in partnership with the communities that it seeks to represent. WAIT-UP SLT therefore adopts a participatory research approach, centring the value of genuine and meaningful participation and direct collaboration with those affected by the issue under consideration (Vaughn and Jacquez, 2020); in this instance:

1. children and young people

2. parents and caregivers 

3. individuals working within speech and language therapy teams. 

A key element of the participatory research approach within WAIT-UP SLT is the recruitment of advisory groups who will act as partners, inputting into the design, delivery, evaluation and dissemination of the project.

What does being an advisory group member involve?

You would be asked to attend online meetings with me and other advisory group members to discuss how the research should be designed, carried out, evaluated and shared. The meetings would take place over Microsoft Teams between 3-6 times a year over three years (until Summer 2028). Each meeting would last no longer than 2 hours.

You would also be invited to review and comment upon documentation associated with the project, such as participant information forms and surveys.  

Who should be involved?

I am currently recruiting to two advisory groups:

1. Parents and caregivers of children and young people who have accessed speech and language therapy services in the last three years.

2. Individuals who work within speech and language therapy services in England who have had direct contact with children and families who are waiting for support.

Group members will hopefully represent a range of roles, geographical areas, clinical specialisms and other characteristics. To ensure that the research reflects the diversity and priorities of the communities it aims to represent, I therefore warmly welcome expressions of interest from individuals and groups who have been historically underrepresented in research. This includes (but is not limited to) people who are disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, Black, Asian, or from other racially minoritised backgrounds; members of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities; people with experience of the care system; and those who have faced barriers related to education, access, or safeguarding.

How can I get involved?

Links to information about the advisory groups and the form to express an interest can be found below:

👥 Parents and caregivers of children and young people with recent experience of accessing services: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/bcu/waitupslt-pac-advisory-group
👥 Individuals working within speech and language therapy services: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/bcu/waitupslt-slt-advisory-group

What if I'm interested in the project but can't commit to the advisory groups?

Thank you for your interest! I'll be continuing to post updates on here and social media for anyone who would like to follow along. Phase 2 will provide opportunities for parents and caregivers and individuals working within speech and language therapy teams to share their views and experiences directly, so please look out for news on that. And if you would like to receive email updates, you can also email me directly.



References
Health Education England (2022) Allied Health Professions’ Research and Innovation Strategy for England. Available at: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/HEE%20Allied%20Health%20Professions%20Research%20and%20Innovation%20Strategy%20FINAL_0.pdf [Accessed 31 July 2025] 
Vaugn, L.M. and Jacquez, F. (2020) Participatory research methods – choice points in the research process. Journal of Participatory Research, 1 (1). 

About WAIT-UP SLT
WAIT-UP SLT is a research project focused on understanding the experiences of waiting within children's speech and language therapy (SLT) services in England. The project aims to explore these experiences from the perspectives of speech and language therapy teams, parents, caregivers, and children and young people, specifically addressing the gap in knowledge about the subjective experiences of those waiting for and within SLT services. Follow our work and find out more via Linktree: https://linktr.ee/waitupslt

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