A government minister has praised Rochdale borough’s award-winning approach to speech, language and communication support which has seen waiting times for families significantly reduce.
This recognition came as part of a visit by the Minister of State for School Standards, Georgia Gould, who learned about the innovative new methods that have been introduced locally to help families, schools and early years settings to address children’s communication needs earlier.
Children referred for speech and language therapy previously waited up to 44 weeks for a specialist appointment due to high levels of need in the borough.
However, local evidence found that in many cases children could often be supported sooner if families and professionals had access to practical tools and guidance at home or in settings like the classroom.
In response, Rochdale Borough Council and its NHS partners have introduced a new system of early intervention, which enables families and professionals to access instant speech and language support at the touch of a button.
This is thanks to things like artifical intelligence (AI) technology, tailored speech and language advice through WhatsApp, a coaching platform called Help at Hand, and an online virtual noticeboard which offers practical tips, resources and activities.
Together these changes have led to:
- An 85% reduction in the demand for clinical appointments since 1 April 2025 as waiting lists come down from more than 1,200 families to 170.
- Emerging evidence of reduced escalation of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in education, health and care plans (EHCPs).
- Faster access for families requiring specialist intervention by therapists.
These changes are also giving speech and language therapists more capacity to support schools and deliver new daily drop-in sessions known as ‘Talking Walk-ins’ at the borough’s Best Start Family Hubs.
Minister Georgia Gould MP learns more about Rochdale Borough Council’s SEND Advice Service with its team leader Jemma.
These sessions allow families to speak directly with trained speech and language therapists if they are unable to address their concerns from home – support that could have previously taken them up to a year to receive.
The borough’s new approach is recognised as national best practice after it won the ‘Shared vision for SEND’ award at this year’s Council for Disabled Children Awards, with judges describing it as ‘a clear and memorable vision that has reshaped the life for children and families in Rochdale’.
This work also aligns with the government’s announcement on ‘Experts at Hand’ support.
Reflecting on her visit, Georgia Gould MP said:
“Every child with SEND deserves support that meets their needs from the earliest possible moment – without having to fight for it – and it’s brilliant to see Rochdale already driving changes to make that happen.
“From September, the Experts at Hand offer will see every local area start to increase access to speech therapists, educational psychologists, occupational therapists and specialist teachers working directly in mainstream schools.
“Rochdale is going above and beyond to increase access to speech and language support for children, and I look forward to working alongside them to scale up their approach through Experts at Hand and deliver our once-in-a-generation reforms.”
Minister Georgia Gould MP interacts with Cat, community and volunteer officer, in Rochdale Town Hall’s dedicated sensory room.
As part of her visit, the Minister also learned more about the borough’s wider efforts to support families with special educational needs and disabilities through its special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Advice Service and Neurodiversity Hub, and was also given a tour of the borough’s recently restored and inclusive Rochdale Town Hall.
Councillor Rachel Massey, portfolio holder for children’s services and education at Rochdale Borough Council, added:
“It’s been a pleasure to welcome the Minister to Rochdale as we are proud to demonstrate how we do things differently here.
“Demand for speech, language and communication support is one of the fastest-growing needs in our borough and it is imperative our services can meet this increased need.
“Thanks to the introduction of these innovative new methods we are helping families to address concerns they have much faster, while our teachers and early years workers are also being equipped with useful tools that they can put into practice in their settings.
“Speech, language and communication is so integral to everything we do as we grow, especially from an early age, so the benefits of this work will really make a massive difference.”
Francesca Soan, the borough of Rochdale’s designated clinical officer for SEND, joins Minister Georgia Gould MP in Rochdale Town Hall’s dedicated sensory room.
One of the tools now available is called Can Do, an automated WhatsApp channel that parents and carers can use to ask direct questions about their child’s needs, with relevant advice and local guidance built into its response to provide them with 24/7 trusted support.
Families can also access the council’s online speech and language padlet, a virtual noticeboard hosting a variety of relevant support tools, blogs and videos alongside practical tips, methods and activities that they can implement at home.
Minister Georgia Gould MP learns first-hand about the borough’s innovative approach to speech, language and communication support.
Francesca Soan, designated clinical officer for SEND at Greater Manchester’s Integrated Care System, said:
“We’re building a system that meets children and families where they are, gives the right support at the right time, and strengthens the adults and professionals around the child so that help is felt every day and not just at appointments.”
- Children's speech, language and educational support – more on about the speech, language and communication offer in the borough of Rochdale