The Balanced System ® Transformation
Speech, Language and Communication Pathway and The Balanced System ® Transformation
Something exciting is happening to how we provide CFHD Speech and Language Therapy Services across Torbay and Devon.
We are using a new way to help children called the Balanced System ® framework. This system is designed to make sure that everyone —parents, carers, and professionals—has the right support to help children improve their speech and communication.
About The Balanced System® framework
Core Principles
- Early identification: Children and young people’s needs are identified early throughout the age ranges not only early in life but also early in emergence of need at any age. Parents, carers and professionals are supported to identify when a need arises and access services in a timely manner
- Appropriate assessment: Assessment through an enquiry-based process rather than through delivering a battery of assessments in isolation and out of context only. The child or young person is assessed in the context where the need arises and is carried out in consultation with the child or young person; their family and school.
- Easy access/Place based Link therapist: Therapists are geographically linked to schools, settings or a cluster of setting. They work with the school team and consult with them regularly to identify and support the broad range of needs across universal, targeted and specialist levels.
- To improve the experience for families, increase confidence in the multi-agency support available and improve outcomes for children and young people ensuring that impact is measured.
- Continued collaboration across all services
- Drive a shift in practice from siloed approaches to one of collaboration with an emphasis on effective family support, enabling environments, workforce development, early identification, effective intervention, and support to reduce the risk factors and increase the protective factors in a child and young person’s life.
To find out more please CLICK HERE
We are starting new easy access drop ins for children under 5 years. These sessions will be held in different places in Torbay and South Devon initially.
You can come to see a speech and language therapist and ask for advice.
Drop ins starting in North Devon: June 2025
Drop ins starting in Exeter, East and Mid Devon (EEM): September 2025
Right now, families who have been waiting the longest will be invited to these sessions. Later on, anyone can come to talk about their child’s speech and communication.
At the session, a speech and language therapist and a therapy assistant will be there. The drop in will last about 30 minutes. You will be able to talk to the therapist about your child’s speech, and we will watch your child play. At the end, we will talk about what may happen next.
Watch this space for further information regarding easy access drop-ins in 2025 across Torbay, South and West Devon, North Devon and Exeter, East and Mid Devon!
Drop ins starting in North Devon: June 2025
Drop ins starting in Exeter, East and Mid Devon (EEM): September 2025
