Speech and Language therapy provision for children in the community (FOI)

Request

Speech and Language therapy provision for children in the community

A

What is the Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) of the whole speech and language therapy (slt) Paediatric service?

B

Have you ever offered an enhanced (sometimes called traded) service for children’s slt services in the community? (By ‘enhanced’ we mean a service that can be purchased in addition to that which is provided as part of what is commonly referred to as your ‘core offer’)

i)

Has this service ceased to operate? If so what was the cause of this?

ii)

Do you currently operate an enhanced service?

If your answer to (ii) is yes please continue.

C

What was the reasoning and anticipated outcomes in setting up the enhanced service?

D

When did this service begin? 

E

The structure of the enhanced service:

i)

Are there some staff who work exclusively in the enhanced service?

ii)

If so what WTE?

iii)

Are the staff working exclusively in the enhanced service on permanent or temporary contracts?

iv)

Do some staff work in both the regular and enhanced services? 

v)

Which bands of staff work in the enhanced service? (for example. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

F

Do staff working in both regular and enhanced services have the same terms and conditions?

G

Do you have any marketing or publicity or information regarding the enhanced service? If yes please provide us with a copy or sign post us to it on your website. 

H

How do you balance demand with capacity in the enhanced service? For example, if demand for the enhanced service reduces, are staff absorbed back into the regular service?

I

Commissioning and contracting arrangements:

i) How long are your contracts with settings (please tell us minimum and maximum length of contracts available)?

ii) How do settings pay for the service? For example, do they pay on delivery or in advance?

iii) How do you cover staff absence? For example, long term sickness and maternity.

Response

A

The Government of Jersey Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) service is provided across two Government departments; Health and Community Services (HCS), and Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES).

The Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staffing is 10.09 Speech and Language Therapists.

HCS employ 7.67 WTEs

CYPES employ 2.42 WTEs

Additionally, three keyworkers are involved in the provision of a term-time only service to schools and nurseries. There are two pathways for Speech and Language Therapy and SaLT Keyworkers in schools:

• Community Pathway

To provide a seamless service to Jersey’s children with severe and complex speech and language needs across Jersey schools and settings (Early Years and post 16).

• Outreach Pathway

To provide a seamless service to Jersey’s children with severe and complex speech and language needs in their nursery and Reception year.

There are service level agreements in place which ensure SaLT service coverage across all areas by the two Government departments, and allows exchange of funds to cover those services between the departments, as required.

B

No enhanced services are purchased in providing the SaLT service on island.

C to I

Not applicable, as no enhanced services are used.