Parents in Croydon have expressed their frustration in securing specialized therapy for their children after the council unexpectedly terminated their existing services without prior notification.

Previously, speech and language therapy (SALT) had been supplied by a private therapist funded through Croydon Council under Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

The council has now announced that it is altering its service providers, with the new setup expected to launch in November.

Daniela Sponder, whose five-year-old son Luca experiences a speech delay, mentioned that even the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) coordinator at his school was caught off guard by the council’s choice.

Ms. Sponder remarked, “She was deeply upset at not being informed by the council.”

“The SEND coordinator is our primary contact for assistance.”

Similarly, another parent, Amy Jones, was taken aback to discover that her eight-year-old son Harry’s SALT had been abruptly discontinued, despite being a legally mandated service under his EHCP.

Harry, who has epilepsy impacting his speech, is meant to receive weekly therapy sessions.

“He’s able to speak now, but he struggles significantly to articulate his words,” noted Ms. Jones.

“He hasn’t had therapy for several months, and it’s causing him frustration.”

EHCPs are essential documents outlining the support required for a child with special educational needs. If a child qualifies, the local authority is legally obligated to provide all the support specified in the plan.

SALT is crucial for children facing challenges in communication, language enhancement, social interaction, or feeding difficulties. For many, it is vital for effective learning and social engagement.

Croydon Council has confirmed it will transition to a new SALT provider, with the new service beginning in November.

A spokesperson for the council stated that the current model has not consistently addressed the needs of children in mainstream education. With the recent increase in government funding, the council is seeking to enhance its services.

In the interim, the council plans to offer some families a personal budget, allowing them to secure their own temporary provider.

However, parents have voiced their concerns regarding the need for consistency, pointing out that the situation underscores a breakdown in communication from the council.

There are also worries that with many parents searching for private therapists, finding one may not be guaranteed.

A representative from Croydon Council stated that they have collaborated closely with the NHS, schools, and families to develop “improved and more focused services.”

“The revamped speech and language therapy program will launch in November, and we are currently providing families and schools with information on how to access this support.

“We want to reassure parents and caregivers that speech and language therapy services remain available in Croydon. Although we have recently switched service providers in the borough to enhance these services, we understand this may have caused some uncertainty for families.

“During this transition phase, we have established measures to assist families with any concerns regarding these changes.”