Delivery of interventions in children with speech sound disorder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Preliminary investigation into the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of speech and language therapist interventions for children with speech sound disorder versus programmes delivered by assistants
IRAS ID
217000
Contact name
Donna Noonan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
North Bristol Trust NHS
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Children with speech sound disorder are the largest single group referred to NHS speech and language therapists (SLT). When children’s problems with speech persist, they are at risk for low outcomes in later life in education, health and employment. \n\nSpeech and language therapy provision for these children is sometimes in the form of generic programmes which have been written by SLTs and are delivered by therapy or teaching assistants. In other services, intervention is provided direct from SLTs. Decisions regarding which way to provide services for these children is typically led by service constraints and caseload demands rather than robust research evidence. \n\nIt is currently unknown whether intervention for children with speech sound disorder is more or less effective or efficient when delivered by a qualified SLT or by an assistant delivering a generic programme. The aim of this project is to undertake a retrospective analysis of case notes and assessment data to compare the outcomes and costs for the two types of provision from two local services: Weston Area Health Trust and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.\n
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0838
Date of REC Opinion
23 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion