SYMBOL SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY: WHAT DEFINES US
Service excellence Professionally managed by practicing clinicians, with specialists sharing expertise across our services.
Collaborative, flexible approach Services tailored to diverse settings; innovations with charities that offer services beyond statutory provisions.
Accessible services Primarily free at the point of use, funded by local authorities or partner organisations, with specialised, fee-based assessments and support where statutory funding is not in place.
Team-based, skill-mixed staffing Speech and language therapists, assistants, and co-workers provide responsive, high-quality, cost effective services, and continuity in staffing.
Well supported staff who stay with our services We invest in staff by offering tailored job roles, training, robust supervision and personal support, fostering professional growth and career progression.
“I’d like to say how wonderful these therapists are. They have been a valuable asset to us and the students have benefitted in multiple ways and we are so grateful to them. Thank you all. Without you, we’d be lost.”
“Her dedication to her profession is strongly evident, particularly in supporting my son, and us as parents, and in extending my son’s education. She is assertive in a gentle, professional manner. Her communication skills are fantastic. She is really on the ball.”
“You have helped me grow over these years, learning new things which were difficult. I’ve really enjoyed seeing you every week and I will miss that. I will always remember the times we’ve spent together having fun and laughing. I will miss you giggling and helping me when I’m sad like 2007. I’ve grown stronger and more confident because of you and I am excited for my next chapter. Thank you for being a part of my life.”
What we do
Our team of around 20 speech and language therapists and support staff work across South East England in specialist and mainstream schools, Youth Justice Services, colleges, nurseries, charities and support groups, and in Symbol’s employment, day opportunities and supported living services. We collaborate with charities and support groups to augment the speech and language therapy provided by statutory services.
We offer support further afield through online therapy sessions, training, consultancy, and external supervision to speech and language therapists working in other services.
Most of our services are ‘free at point of use’, funded by the organisations we work with, or commissioned by local authorities as school-based provision.
We also offer highly specialised assessments and ongoing support for individuals with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and for people with Down syndrome of all ages, which families or other parties can purchase directly.
Our team includes highly experienced specialists in Autism, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Developmental Language Disorder, Down syndrome, and supporting Adults with Learning Disabilities.
We employ speech and language therapists at all stages of their careers, offering comprehensive professional and personal support for newly qualified therapists and those looking to develop in specialist areas.
Our innovative use of support team- including speech and language therapy assistants and co-workers- harnesses the skills of non-qualified but experienced staff who want to further their work with people with speech, language and communication needs, working under the guidance of speech and language therapists.
This enables us to provide high-quality, cost-effective services, and to respond to the challenges of seeking to recruit staff in a shortage profession.
WHY CHOOSE SYMBOL SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY AS A PROVIDER?
Our staff are part of a large team managed by dedicated speech and language therapy managers who are also practising clinicians. All our services benefit from the leadership and specialist skills of our senior speech and language therapists.
Providing skill mixed teams means we can tailor provision to the changing needs and demands in your provision, and we remain responsible for securing and training staff, ensuring continuity of service, when individuals are away from their posts for periods (for example, on parental leave), or change their job roles.
We work with potential commissioners to explore speech and language therapy needs and development opportunities within services, and then discuss potential configurations of staffing and provision whilst taking into account the characteristics of the situation and available funding. We can provide this consultancy as a stand alone project, or while setting up services with you.
MEET OUR STAFF
What is it like working for Symbol speech and language therapy? Click on the videos below to hear from our staff:
Georgina - Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, qualified in 2012, working for Symbol since 2012.
Libby - Speech and Language Therapist, newly qualified therapist, working for Symbol since 2023.
Andrea - Speech and Language Therapist, working for Symbol since 2020.
Tanzila - Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, qualified in 2004, working for Symbol since 2004.
Vacancies are advertised on Symbol jobs webpage. We build posts around individuals’ location, availability and interests, so please get in touch even if the advertised posts aren’t a perfect fit for you. Contact Debbie Honeysett or Kate Hopcraft to find out more about current and upcoming opportunities
PROJECTS
In addition to the services described, we are able to utilise the specialist skills within our teams to undertake assignments, projects and specialist commissions. These have previously included:
Production of a video “Now We’re Talking” aimed at parents and professionals to raise expectations about the communication skills of children who have Down syndrome, part funded by “Danny’s Challenge” and distributed by the Down’s Syndrome Association.
I CAN Early Years Accreditation Scheme – consultancy work to develop an accreditation system for specialist early years provision for children who have specific language impairment.
H .M. Prisons: Young Offender Services – project to assess the incidence of hearing and communication problems of young offenders, and to identify the need for speech and language therapy services to this population.
Working with the Bracknell Forest virtual school to develop awareness and understanding of speech, language and communication needs within all schools where social workers are involved with children; and contribute towards wider improved outcomes for these individuals through training, resources and targeted support.
Specialist and complex client assessments.
Service reviews to assist commissioners in reviewing and designing new services.
Packages of training and consultancy support for key areas of need.
Development of national specialist services, including intensive speech and language therapy holiday camps for children and young people who have Down syndrome.
Please contact our service managers Kate Hopcraft and Debbie Honeysett for further info.
Email: info@symbolconnect.co.uk
Telephone: 01622 863 291