Top speech and language therapists to meet on Friday to address future of children’s services in Northern Ireland
Marie Gascoigne, author of the influential position paper Supporting children with speech, language and communication needs within integrated children's services, will lead a masterclass of 100 of Northern Ireland's top speech and language therapists.
The event leads on from the RCSLT conference at Cookstown in March 2006, where parents, practitioners, managers, commissioners and Government representatives, discussed ways to address the serious situation outlined in the 2005 Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) report on speech and language therapy provision.
Marie Gascoigne says, "This event provides a fantastic opportunity for service development in Northern Ireland in that we will have all the services represented at one event. We will be working together to identify the existing good practice as well as exploring how services can adapt in response to the wider children's agenda"
RCSLT Northern Ireland Policy Officer Alison McCullough says, "Speech and language therapists from all over Northern Ireland are voicing their commitment to delivering better services for children.
"The profession is taking a lead in evaluating regional services by consensus and we are delighted Marie Gascoigne is able to facilitate us in this important initiative.
"A ministerial task force is also currently examining the issues facing speech and language therapy services in Northern Ireland and we are hopeful both events will deliver significant improvements throughout the region."
The RCSLT will also host a seminar on children's speech and language therapy services in Northern Ireland at Belfast's Stormont Hotel on the evening of 23 November 2006.
This will feature Marie Gascoigne, RCSLT CEO Kamini Gadhok, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Conrad Kirkwood and Maurice Crozier from the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
Notes for editors:
- The RCSLT children's services seminar will take place at the Stormont Hotel from 1815-2030 on Thursday 23 November 2006.
- Children's Services Masterclass: a participative workshop takes place at CPD Centre, Clady Villa, Knockbracken Healthcare Park on 24 November, from 0930-1630.
- To discuss media opportunities at both events contact RCSLT Northern Ireland Policy Officer Alison McCullough, tel: 0786 778 1116.
- The position paper Supporting children with speech, language and communication needs within integrated children's services is available at: www.rcslt.org/docs/free-pub/Supporting_children-website.pdf
- NICCY's Overview of Speech and Language Therapy Provision in Northern Ireland 2004/2005 is available at: http://www.niccy.org/article.aspx?menuid=384
- The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK and has over 12,000 members. It is responsible for setting, promoting and maintaining high standards in education, clinical practice and ethical conduct. Visit: www.rcslt.org for more information.
For more information contact:
RCSLT Northern Ireland Policy Officer Alison McCullough, tel: 02890 501 802, mob: 0786 778 1116, email: alison.mccullough@rcslt.org
RCSLT Head of Policy Nick Smith, tel: 0207 378 3015, email: nick.smith@rcslt.org
RCSLT Communications Manager Steven Harulow, tel: 0207 378 3004, email: steven.harulow@rcslt.org