Getting Ready For Your Early Advice Session

• Booking your Early Advice Session

  You will have received a text or letter inviting you to contact us. Please call our Just One Number team on 0300 300 0123 to book an Early Advice Session.

  If you need an interpreter, please ask when booking your slot.

  Once you’ve booked your slot, you’ll be sent another text confirming the time and date and with the appointment link in it.

  On the date and time of your appointment, visit the webpage in the link and click on the Speech & Language icon. Follow the instructions to join the call. You will be prompted to enter your child’s name and date of birth, then will enter a virtual private waiting room. Only the therapist can see your details and they will join the call from there.

• What will I need with me for the appointment?

  A phone, tablet or laptop, with a camera and speaker and your child.  Sit somewhere comfortable with your device so it’s still and can see both you and your child. 

  Having a favourite toy, book or something of interest for your child will help make the session more fun.

• Why is the appointment online?

  The therapist will be able to see you and your child from your home.  We’re able to see children more quickly and then can also offer to see them at home or in their setting if needed.

• I’m worried my child won’t focus on screen for 30 mins or communicate with someone new.

  That’s fine, the therapist will be flexible to your child’s needs and seeing your child in their own environment at home, with you, can give us some really helpful information about their communication. 

• What happens after the appointment?

  The therapist will explain to you at the end of the appointment what will happen next. It might be they don’t need to see your child again.

  Alternatively, they might give you some things to be doing at home or they might need to arrange to see your child in person.

• Does my child need to attend the virtual early advice session?

  It is really helpful for our speech and language therapists to be able to observe your child through interactions and play during the video call or to observe you and your child play and interact. We do not expect your child to be present for the whole session, as you may not want to discuss concerns in front of them, or your child may opt to return to an activity of their choosing.