The Balanced System ® Transformation

We are starting new easy access drop ins for children under the age of 5 years. These sessions are now being held in different locations across Torbay, South Devon, North Devon Exeter, East and Mid.

Right now, any family can attend an easy access drop in. These are also available to those who have previously used an easy drop in, should they need further support.

From the 6 April 2026, if you would like to attend an easy access drop in, you can scan the QR code below or CLICK HERE.

At the drop in, you will meet two members of team to discuss your child’s speech, language and communication skills. Whilst your child explores and enjoys a range of toys we will observe your child’s speech and language development. We will support you with strategies of advice, which can be discussed and modelled for you to take away and try at home and/or in nursery. You will receive written information following this session (a report) which can be shared with your child’s nursery/pre-school setting with parents’ permission. This will include recommendations of advice and clear next steps. 

Link Therapists are linked to schools, settings or a cluster of settings. They work with the school team and consult with them regularly to identify needs so that all children and young people access the right support at the right time in their learning context. This work has now commenced for all localities.

The Role of the Link Therapist:

• Relationship Building:

A link therapist builds a strong relationship with a school or setting, becoming familiar with the staff and the specific needs of the children.

• Needs Identification:

They work with the school team to identify children who may need support with their speech, language, or communication.

• Support Implementation:

The link therapist helps to implement the Balanced System framework within the school, ensuring that appropriate interventions are in place.

• Resource and Training:

They may provide training and support to school staff on how to identify and support children with SLCN.

• Collaboration:

They collaborate with other professionals, such as SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators), to ensure a coordinated approach to support.

• Functional Outcomes:

The link therapist focuses on supporting children to achieve functional outcomes that will help them in their learning and social interactions.

Benefits of the Link Therapist Model:

• Improved Outcomes:

By providing targeted support at the right time and place, the link therapist model aims to improve outcomes for all children with SLCN.

• Early Intervention:

It facilitates early identification and intervention, which can be crucial for preventing long-term difficulties.

• Empowered Staff:

The model empowers school staff to better understand and support children’s communication needs.

• Effective Use of Resources:

By taking a systematic approach, the framework helps to ensure that resources are used effectively to meet the needs of all children.

We want to make it as easy as possible for children, young people and their families to access support across Devon and Torbay.

Easy access means families can access support that enables:

• • Early identification: Children and young people’s needs are identified early. Parents, carers and professionals are supported to identify when their child may need support and how to access services in a timely manner
  • Appropriate assessment: Assessment are made through an enquiry based process, using easy access drop ins.  The child or young person is assessed when the need arises and this is carried out in consultation with the child or young person; their family and school or setting.

• Families access support and information from the speech and language therapist in the place that the child or young person learns and accesses on a regular basis.

The Balanced System® has at its core the importance of a continuum of support, this includes approaches that promote the speech, language and communication skills of all children and young people, as well as robust targeted support for those that need more. Specialist or individualised support could include:

• • training, coaching and support for colleagues in the wider workforce, such as early years practitioners, teachers and teaching assistants
  • direct delivery by therapists of interventions, support and adaptations
  • specialist interventions which are in addition to universal and targeted support that is in place

• • training, coaching and support for colleagues in the wider workforce, such as early years practitioners, teachers and teaching assistants
  • direct delivery by therapists of interventions, support and adaptations
  • specialist interventions which are in addition to universal and targeted support that is in place

This will include:

• • a ‘one stop shop’ for families and practitioners wanting to understand what support is available across Devon and Torbay for the children and young people.
  • Services ensure all information is in one accessible place.

• • a ‘one stop shop’ for families and practitioners wanting to understand what support is available across Devon and Torbay for the children and young people.
  • Services ensure all information is in one accessible place.

• An increased confidence in the multi-agency support through shared outcomes

What did you find most helpful during the easy access drop in?

“Learning new ways of helping her to speak.”

“Watching ‘A’ engage and have fun while being able to get advice.”

“That we can try to use our language in more ‘big word’ sentences and that we are not doing everything wrong!”

“Really helpful tips to aid speech and nice to see someone face to face to help ease worries.”