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WAIT-UP SLT Advisory Group FAQ - SLTs, SLTAs and Admin/Clerical colleagues

 

What is a research advisory group, and why should I get involved?

A research advisory group is made up of people with lived experience who work alongside researchers to help guide and shape a project. By getting involved, you’ll have the chance to:

·       Influence how the research is designed and carried out—especially research focused on the views of speech and language therapy colleagues, children, and young people.

·       Be part of a co-productive approach, where researchers and participants work together as equal partners.

·       Connect with others who care about similar issues.

·       Learn more about how research works and how your insights can make it better.

Research is stronger and more meaningful when the people it affects are involved in shaping it - and that’s exactly what advisory groups are for.

Who can take part?

For this phase of the research, I’m looking to hear from people who:

  • Work in a children’s speech and language therapy (SLT) service in England
  • Have direct contact with children and families who may be experiencing/have experienced waits for SLT support
  • Have access to the internet, a device that can run Microsoft Teams, and a private space for online meetings

We know that children, young people, and families interact with many different team members throughout their speech and language therapy journey—not just therapists. That’s why we’re keen to include a diverse mix of roles in the advisory group.

This could include:

  • Speech and language therapists
  • SLT assistants
  • Admin or clerical staff
  • Service managers or leads
  • Other associated roles (if you're not sure, please get in touch to discuss)

We especially welcome people from all backgrounds.

To make sure this research reflects a wide range of voices, I warmly welcome interest from people and communities who are often underrepresented in research. This includes (but isn’t limited to):

  • Disabled or neurodivergent people
  • LGBTQIA+ individuals
  • Black, Asian, and racially minoritised communities
  • Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities
  • People with experience of the care system
  • Those who’ve faced barriers related to education, access, or safeguarding

Do I need to be working within a NHS SLT service?

No. We welcome input from speech and language therapy colleagues across all sectors, including those working in independent practice and those working in charities and community, non-profit, voluntary organisations. We know that children and families access support and experience waiting in many contexts and we are keen to capture this in the discussions.

What does being involved actually look like?

If you join the advisory group, here’s what to expect:

  • You’ll take part in online meetings (on Microsoft Teams) around 3 to 6 times per year until Summer 2028.
  • Each meeting will last no more than 2 hours.
  • Meetings will be recorded to help evaluate the project. Only the research supervisory team will see these recordings, and they’ll be securely destroyed after the project ends.
  • You’ll receive a summary of each meeting within two weeks, and you’ll be invited to check it for accuracy.
  • You may also be asked to review materials for the research, like participant information sheets or surveys.

Meeting times will be flexible and based on the group’s availability, so we'll do our best to make it work for you.

Do I need any experience with research?

Not at all. Whether you’ve worked on research projects before or this is your first time, your experience and insights are valuable. Everyone is welcome.

I have a disability—what support is available?

I’m committed to making the advisory group as inclusive and accessible as possible. When you express interest, you’ll be asked about any adjustments or support you might need to fully take part. Please don’t hesitate to share anything that could help make your experience smoother.

What if I change my mind?

You can withdraw at any time, for any reason. There are no consequences, and you don’t need to explain your decision. 

Will there be other opportunities to get involved?

Yes! Once the advisory groups have formed and met, stage 2 will be focused on carrying out research to better understand the views and experiences of parents and caregivers and speech and language therapy colleagues. In stage 3 I hope to explore the views of children and young people. 

Interested in joining or learning more?

Whether you're ready to jump in or just want to find out more, I'd love to hear from you. There’s no pressure—just a chance to chat and see if it’s a good fit for you.
👉 To express your interest in joining the advisory group, click here: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/bcu/waitupslt-slt-advisory-group
👉 Please email me directly with any questions at Gillian.Rudd2(@)mail.bcu.ac.uk
👉 To learn more about the project and stay up to date, you can find all our social media links - LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Blogger, and Instagram via Linktree: https://linktr.ee/waitupslt


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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