The Balanced System ® Transformation: Update

Children and families across Devon and Torbay are now seeing significant improvements in access to speech, language and communication support for under-fives, following Children and Family Health Devon’s (CFHD) introduction of the Balanced System®.

Just nine months ago, families of children under 5 faced waiting times of more than two years for a speech, language and communication assessment with CFHD. Today, drop in assessment sessions for under-fives are well under way, providing faster, easier access to support through a network of easy-access drop-ins across Devon and Torbay.

As a result of this new approach, it is projected that by April 2026 there will be no waiting list for under-fives needing an assessment. Crucially, these drop-in sessions are open access, meaning families are able to attend without needing a prior appointment or referral

Sharon Martin, Professional and Clinical Lead for Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy, Children and Family Health Devon, said: “The Balanced System® has fundamentally changed how we support children and families. Moving to open-access drop-ins has removed barriers, reduced waiting times, and allowed us to focus on early intervention. We are already seeing the positive impact this is having for families across Devon and Torbay.”

A Balanced, Tiered Approach to Support

The Balanced System® offers different tiers of support, ensuring children and families receive the right help at the right time:

• Advice, guidance and signposting
• Targeted support for emerging needs
• Further, direct therapy input, with waits currently around four weeks

This structured approach enables earlier intervention, reduces unnecessary delays, and ensures specialist resources are used where they are needed most.

Alongside improvements for under fives, Link Therapists are being rolled out across Devon and Torbay schools. This model supports collaborative working between schools and speech and language therapists, helping staff to build skills and confidence in supporting children’s communication needs.

While waits for children older than five remain, this work is still in its early stages and continues to develop. A menu of support is available for families, with options providing advice, reassurance and early support while longer-term pathways continue to be strengthened.

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