Speech and Language Therapy in North East Lincolnshire
Speech and Language Therapy in North East Lincolnshire
Helping Early Years Settings in Knowsley Support Communication Needs
Chatterbug Speech and Language Therapy Service has been commissioned by Knowsley Council, designed with Early Years Practitioners in mind. We understand the vital role you play in the lives of children with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN), and we are here to support you every step of the way. By addressing the barriers these children face, we help you create inclusive, communication-rich environments that foster meaningful progress.
Working closely with Early years settings, nurseries, childminders and preschool, we bridge the gap in access to building knowledge, identifying and supporting children with Speech Language and Communication Needs whilst providing constant support, training and workshops.
Meet the team in NEL
Meet the team
Our dedicated team in Knowsley Council, is committed to improving lives through a passionate, evidence-based approach. Meet our key team members below and learn more about their expertise.
Rachel Pearce: Senior Speech and Language Therapist
I am Rachel Pearce, a Senior Speech and Language Therapist at Chatterbug, where I have been dedicated to supporting children’s communication development for the past six years. In my role within Knowsley, I provide specialist Speech, Language, and Communication support by collaborating with educational settings, offering clinical expertise, and delivering targeted training. I am deeply committed to empowering children with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN) to reach their full potential. Additionally, I focus on equipping Early Years professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively support and advocate for the young people in their care.
My goal is to enhance the capacity of those working with children in Knowsley by promoting early identification and intervention. By doing so, I strive to ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive.
Sophie Latta: Communication and Language Specialist (CALS)
I am Sophie, a Communication and Language Specialist based in Knowsley and Liverpool. I have been part of Chatterbug for the past 18 months, working to support children’s speech and language development. Having experienced speech therapy myself as a child, I understand first hand the profound impact it can have on a child’s confidence and overall development.
This personal experience fuels my passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of children with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN).
As part of the Chatterbug team, my role focuses on supporting childcare settings in Knowsley to become as communication friendly as possible. By working closely with educators and practitioners, I strive to create environments where children can develop essential communication skills and reach their full potential.
Meet the team in NEL
Our services in Knowsley
- Training & Support: Get practical strategies and clear guidance on supporting children with Speech Language and Communication Needs through engaging sessions and regular network meet-ups.
- WellComm Screening & Intervention: We’ll help you confidently use the WellComm toolkit and The Big Book of Ideas to assess and support children effectively.
- Environmental Audits: We visit your setting and work with you to make classrooms more communication-friendly and inclusive.
- Network Meetings: Join regular get-togethers with other practitioners to share ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and learn what works.
- Link Meetings: Need tailored advice? Get one-to-one support via video, phone, or email to help you use WellComm tools and identify children who may need specialist input.
- Digital Support: Email support through a monitored inbox (response within 24 hours Monday-Friday).
- Training materials and resources and Referrals: You will have access to our training materials and
resources through our OEPR (SaaS Patient Management System). - On-demand courses: Access our Chatterbug Academy, a language and communication hub, to explore three pre-recorded courses. Please find the course details below.
Training in Knowsley
Our virtual training sessions each term to support Early Years practitioners in building confidence and knowledge around speech, language, and communication development.
What Our Training Covers:
Our sessions are practical, engaging, and tailored to meet real-world needs. Topics includes:
- WellComm Screening & Next Steps language development.
- How to use WellComm effectively and plan targeted support.
- Speech, Language & Communication Strategies
- Practical approaches to support children in everyday settings.
- Supporting Bilingual Learners
- Understanding the needs of children who speak more than one language.
- Identifying Social Communication Needs
- How to recognise signs of social communication difficulties and when to refer.
- Early Language Skills
- Key foundations and how to nurture them from the start
Training Schedules
- All our training sessions have a preset topic and are usually held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. All sessions are virtual, and we will send the full training schedule and the attendance link as a separate attachment.
To access our schedules, please send an email to: [email protected]
On-demand Courses for Knowsley
Our practitioners will have access to the following courses designed by our SLT. For instructions on how to access them, please refer to the information provided below under “Chatterbug Academy.”
| Group | English as an Additional Language | Early Communication Strategies | Identifying and Supporting children with SLCN |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Practitioner |
✔ |
✔ |
✔ |
How to access
- Link Meetings: Please book your one-to-one meeting by clicking the link and selecting your time slot. (Click Here)
- Digital Support: Email us to [email protected]
- Training and Network meetings: We will send our schedules, please join our sessions by the link provided.
- Communication Audits: Book your slot for a communication audit. (Click Here)
Registration Process
Chatterbug has partnered with OEPR, to develop a system designed by SLTs for SLTS. This custom-made system allows practitioners and settings
to:
- Refer children you would like to discuss
- Grant access to up to two additional colleagues for referrals
- Add comments regarding individual children to ensure tailored, ongoing support
Registration Process:
1. Fill out the form and we will set your account up: (Click Here)
2. You will receive an email with your contact information.
3. Access training resources on how to use the system effectively
4. Begin submitting referrals and accessing support
Communicate With Us
