Children's therapy services overview (SALT, OT and Physio)

This page gives you an overview of what children's therapy services are, how to get support from them and what to do if you don't agree.

What is it?

Children's therapy services are the following (if you click on the name of the service, it will take you the relevant Local Offer page in a new window):

• Speech and Language therapy (SALT) - for children aged 0-16 years who have communication and/or feeding and swallowing difficulties. 
• Physio therapy  helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future.
• Occupational therapy (OT) work to enable children to reach their maximum developmental potential and gain independence in performing daily living activities. 
• Sensory Occupational therapy (Sensory OT) help children who have sensory difficulties, this means that they may be very sensitive sensory input.

In Kirklees, Children's therapy services are operated by either Locala or by Calderdale and Huddersfield foundation health trust (CHFT)

If you live in North Kirklees (Dewsbury, Batley, Birstall etc) then Locala will provide most of the therapy services.

If you live in South Kirklees (Huddersfield, Holme and Colne valley's etc) then CHFT will provide most of the therapy services.

Locala provide sensory OT services for both north and south Kirklees.

How is support provided?

The most common way for referrals to be made is through a school or education setting and often the therapist will work with the child in the education setting.  This may mean that parents & carers do not get to meet the therapist themselves.

If you want to speak with the therapist then the first thing to do is ask the school.  If this doesn't help then you can speak with Locala or CHFT using the numbers below:

Locala (North) - 0300 304 5555 

CHFT (South) - 01484 344299 - CHFT have also produced a children's therapy services leaflet which explains their service (opens pdf in new window)

Whenever a referral for Children's therapy is made, parent or carer consent is always required.

You can also find information about independent SALT through the following Local Offer page:

Help to find an independent Speech and Language therapists

What if you don't agree or want to speak with someone?

LOCALA - If you make a referral and it is not accepted and you wish to speak with someone or make a complaint then you can call Locala on 0303 003 4529 followed by option 2 or send an email to enquiry@locala.org.uk.  You can find more information on the Locala Compliments and Complaints webpage (opens in new window).

CHFT - If you make a referral and it is not accepted and you wish to speak with someone or make a complaint then you can call CHFT on 0800 013 0018 or send an email to patientadvice@cht.nhs.uk.  You can find more information on the CHFT Patient Advice and Complaints webpage (opens in new window).

Independent support and advice can be provided by Cloverleaf Advocacy Service:

Tel:    01924 460211

Email:advocacy@touchstonesupport.org.uk