What is needed for the future?

Patient safety and positive outcomes for people with communication support needs are most effectively achieved through the involvement of SLTs in leadership roles.

When communicating the value of SLTs in leadership roles, it is essential that SLT leaders focus on their particular, profession-specific contribution.

The RCSLT believes this contribution is most evident in SLTs:

• ensuring safe, effective, evidence-based practice by applying their profession-specific knowledge
• providing effective professional governance frameworks
• providing support for the regulation of the profession

Organisations will want to assure themselves that their activities are safe and comply with Healthcare commission standards - the RCSLT believes that having SLTs in leadership roles provides assurance of risk management.

Examples of how SLTs should contribute as leaders follow.