Earlier this year, the UK government committed to developing an action plan to address long‐standing concerns about the availability of speech and language therapy. As a community we were hopeful that families and professionals had finally been heard and that change was coming. But as the months have passed, the promised plan still hasn’t materialised.
The background
Speech and language therapy has long been considered a ‘postcode
lottery’, with too many people unable to access timely and
effective support. Even before the pandemic, only 15% of respondents to a 2018 survey by I CAN and RCSLT felt that SLT was available for children and young
people as required.
Although the issues are longstanding, the situation has been
further exacerbated by the pandemic, with services disrupted by
staff sickness, difficulties accessing children and families and staff
redeployment. Already recognised pre-pandemic as a shortage profession, SLT service managers have reported that
“staff vacancy rates have risen to levels that they have never seen before”. Waiting lists are 'spiralling' and ‘demand is outstripping supply’. Bridget Phillipson, then Shadow
Secretary of State for Education, described a ‘broken system’ with parents
“increasingly turning to the courts to get the support that is their children’s right”.
In March 2024, Mikey Akers
tabled a petition on the UK Parliament website calling for increased investment
in speech and language therapy services. It secured over 10,000 signatures
in just 16 days, clearly evidencing the level of public interest and concern in
this issue. The Government responded in April 2024, stating that “We recognise
the impact that long waits to access speech and language therapy can have on
the individual, their families and carers” and “This Government is committed to
cutting waiting lists and growing the workforce to help people and their
families get the support they need.”
A hopeful start to 2025
- In early January, Stephen Kinnock reaffirmed that “The Department (for Health and Social Care) and NHS England are “committed to reducing long waits and improving timely access to community health services.” This commitment to reducing waiting times for community health services has also been emphasised in NHS planning guidance for 2024/25 and The NHS planning guidance for 2024/25 and the 10-Year Health Plan for England.
- On
27 January 2025, the MP for Lichfield, Dave Robertson, led a debate in the House of Commons on Mikey Akers’ petition relating to the need for greater investment in speech and language therapy services. The debate was
well attended, with politicians on all sides agreeing with the importance
of speech and language therapy and attesting (sometimes personally) to the
benefits it can bring. Stephen Kinnock paid tribute to the “outstanding”
Mikey Akers and the “vigour and verve” of the campaigning team, before committing
to meeting to “discuss the project and how to take it forward”.
- A
follow-up meeting took place on 25 March 2025 which attendees
felt was “extremely positive”. The group were assured that, whilst additional
funding was subject to wider Government decision-making, the Government
were committed to improving speech and language therapy services and to effective
partnership working between the Department of Health and Social Care, the
Department for Education, RCSLT and individuals with lived experience. It
was explained that activities were already underway to review and develop a
wide range of services, and a speech and language therapy action plan
would be developed as part of this.
Where are we now?
We’ve made a small step forward - but we’re still a long way
from where we need to be.
It’s encouraging to see the Early
Language Support for Every Child programme extended, with the Government pledging
£3.4 million in funding this year to help identify and support children with speech
and language needs earlier in primary school and early years settings.
However this funding will only reach a small subsection of those who benefit from speech and language therapy support.
Crucially, there is still no national action plan for speech and language therapy.
More worryingly, there have been no updates: no draft plans,
no proposed publication dates - not even a timeline. Without an explanation for
the delay, or a further statement of intent from Government, it is difficult to
know what this means. But one thing is clear: without meaningful action, little
is likely to change. Individuals and their families will continue to struggle to
access support and speech and language therapy services will remain under significant
pressure.
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