With effect from 10th February 2025, the Let’s Talk service will not be taking on new families for children’s speech, language and therapy concerns, in preparation for the ABSS grant end on 31st March 2025.

To learn more about ABSS programme changes beyond 31st March 2025, by visiting the Beyond ABSS webpage.

Let's Talk

The Let’s Talk project equips parents with the skills they need to best develop their child’s communication skills. Talking and listening to children from the moment they’re born helps them develop good language and communication skills. This enables them to listen and express themselves well and leads to the development of good relationships.

Most brain development occurs from birth to age two, so babies and toddlers need stimulation as much as they need nourishing food. The best way to stimulate babies’ brains is to talk to them more. You don’t need to be an expert to help your child.

Families who use the current service have been contacted directly about the update.

Referrals have now ended for the following Let’s Talk courses:

23 Month Screening
Babbling Babies
Talking Tiddlers
Talking Toddlers
Chatting Children
Attention ABS
Super Sounds
Health Visitors Under 1 Screen

The following services continue up until 31st March 2025:

Home Visits
Follow-ups
Talk-in Walk-in

All new referrals for children’s speech, language and therapy concerns will be made to EPUT’s core Speech & Language Therapy team by a health professional (e.g. Health Visitor or GP) using the EPUT referral form and accompanying teddy bear kit and/or WELLCOM screening form.

Other support is available – please contact the following teams:

EPUT SLT Service for new referrals (A 23-month screening service won’t be available at this current time):

slt.educationenquiries@nhs.net

EPUT webpage referral forms and criteria, which can be downloaded:

https://eput.nhs.uk/our-services/journey-through-children-s-speech-and-language-therapy/

EPUT central phone number:

01702 578614

Southend City Council Verbo Screening:

SCC uses a speech and language screening service called Verbo in educational settings for children 2-5 years old.

https://www.southend.gov.uk/children-families/childcare

City Family Information and Guidance Service:

From 01 April 2025 if you have any questions or concerns around family services in Southend, please contact City Family’s Information and Guidance Service where their friendly Navigators will be able to assist you.

Call: 01702 844188
WhatsApp/Live Chat: 07507 242398
Email: yfsouthend@cityfamily.org.uk
or visit www.cityfamily.org.uk

Opening hours:

Monday to Thursday: 10:30am – 7:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 10:30am – 3:00pm

Let's Talk Courses

Talking Walk-In

More information

23 Month Language Screening

More information

Super Sounds

More information

*This service continues until 31st March 2025*

Talking Walk-In is a session for parents/carers who want to learn more about their child’s speech and/or language development. You will have the opportunity to discuss your child’s development with a Speech and Language Therapist.

*With effect from 10th February 2025, referrals no longer taken*

As your toddler approaches their 2nd birthday, you will receive a text inviting you to an online speech and language check. This is a free offer and only takes about 15 minutes. You will have the opportunity to discuss your little one’s speech and language development and will be provided with some ideas and activities to further support their communication.

*With effect from 10th February 2025, referrals no longer taken*

Super Sounds is a course for families who have concerns about their child’s speech sounds. The course includes information for parents/carers about speech development and activities to support this development as well as a screening of the child’s speech.

Babbling Babies

More information

Talking Tiddlers

More information

Talking Toddlers

More information

*With effect from 10th February 2025, referrals no longer taken*

Babbling Babies is a workshop for parents/carers, and their babies aged 9 -15 months. Different aspects of your little one’s communication development will be focused on using fun and interactive activities.

*With effect from 10th February 2025, referrals no longer taken*

Talking Tiddlers is a 2-week course for parents, carers, and their very young children. Each week will focus on different aspects of your child’s language development through a variety of play-based learning activities where your child’s listening attention, understanding, vocabulary, play skills, and social interaction will be supported.

*With effect from 10th February 2025, referrals no longer taken*

Talking Toddlers is a 3-week course for parents/carers, and their children. There are two different courses: Toddler A and Toddler B depending on your little one’s stage of communication development. Each week has a different theme and focuses on different aspects of your child’s language development such as learning new words and building your child’s attention and listening skills.

Chatting Children

More information

Attention ABS

More information

*With effect from 10th February 2025, referrals no longer taken*

Chatting Children is a 4-week course for parents/carers and children aged over 3 years. These courses will help you to find ways to support your little one’s understanding, listening, turn-taking, and talking.

*With effect from 10th February 2025, referrals no longer taken*

Attention ABS are courses designed to support your child’s attention, play, and turn-taking skills. There are two different courses, Attention ABS 1 and Attention ABS 2. Each course takes place over 3 weeks and lasts around 30 minutes. Attention ABS 1 takes place on a one-to-one basis for younger children and Attention ABS 2 is a group course for children who are 3 years old and over.