Stockton-on-Tees early years speech and language pathway

The pathway has been developed in partnership between Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust and North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

Pregnancy

For everyone

You will see your community midwife regularly during your pregnancy, including a home visit at 20 to 24 weeks to discuss bonding with your baby before birth and talking to your bump.

For more information about your maternity service visit the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust website.

You will receive a home visit from your health visitor before your baby is born between 28 to 33 weeks to get know your family, and to give you information about communicating with your baby. For more information contact the Stockton-on-Tees 0 to 19 Years Growing Healthy Service on 0333 320 2302.

At around 28 weeks of pregnancy, you can book on to a parent craft session at Family Hubs. Our sessions provide advice and information to help you prepare for birth and beyond.

If you need more support

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's development - talk to your midwife or health visitor.

Your health visitor may offer you additional home visits depending on your family's needs.

The free online Solihull "Understanding Your Child" programme (0 to 5 years) includes information about supporting your child's talking and understanding of words. Access the “Understanding Your Child” programme using the password INFINITY.

Your local family hub delivers an antenatal Nurturing Programme. This is a five week programme to help you find out more about your baby's development and communication. You may be referred by your health visitor or can book a place yourself. 

Useful information for this stage of your journey

The Stockton-in-Tees Talks page offers top tips and key messages about speaking and understanding of words in the early years.

The BBC Tiny Happy People website offers a collection of videos and information to help guide you through pregnancy and beyond.

Growing Healthy Stockton-on-Tees is a universal service where the needs and voice of children, young people and families are the core of the service. The 0 to 19 services is provided across Stockton-on-Tees.

0 to 5 years

For everyone

Stockton-on-Tees has a range of high-quality early years settings (nurseries and childminders), which support the development of your child's talking and understanding of words. The Stockton Families Information Service provide a free and impartial service which gives up to date and accurate information on Ofsted registered childcare. For more information contact the Families Information Service on 01642 527225 or by emailing fis@stockton.gov.uk.

Find out if you are eligible for free childcare.

Your Health Visitor will visit between 10 to 14 days after birth, to provide advice and support for you and your babies health and wellbeing. They will visit you again around 4-6 weeks, to discuss any further support you may need.

You will receive a 3 to 4 month visit from your health visitor which includes advice about how to support your child's talking and understanding of words.

You will receive a 9 to 12 month visit from your health visitor, they will complete a development check on your baby and give advice about how to support your child's talking and understanding of words.

At  2 to 2  and a half years your child will receive a review of their health and development, including their talking and understanding of words. This will involve yourself, a health visitor, and any childcare provider your child is registered with.

For more information about Health Visitor visits contact the Stockton-on-Tees 0 to 19 Years Growing Healthy Service on 0333 320 2302.

Your local library has a fantastic range of borrowing books to share at home, including Picture Books, which is a great way of bonding with your child and developing their talking and understanding of words. Your local library also offers rhyme time sessions which are a great way to develop your child's talking and understanding of words. Visit your local library and book a place to have fun with rhymes and songs.

Your local Family Hub runs baby massage and baby yoga sessions to help you bond and communicate with your baby Contact your local Family Hub to book a place or find out more at our Family Hubs page.

If you need a bit more help

Your health visitor may offer you additional home visits depending on your family's needs.

The Tots Talking Programme at your local Family Hub is eight sessions about what you can do at home to support your child's talking and understanding of words. You may be referred by your health visitor or can book a place yourself when your child is aged between 2-3 years. Contact your local Family Hub to book a place.

You may receive a Bookstart pack through your early years setting or health visitor. The Bookstart programme provides book packs to support a love of reading and reading habits to families who need them the most at 1 to 2 and 3 to 4 years. Find out more on our libraries page.

Your local Family Hub has parent engagement workers who can visit you at home and help you find out more about activities and support to meet your family's needs. Your health visitor may refer you to a parent engagement worker, or you can call your local Family Hub to find out more.

Early Years Settings deliver programmes to support your child's talking and understanding of words as part of the Stockton-on-Tees Talks programme when they need a bit more help. Talk to your setting to find out more information.

Useful information for this stage of your journey

Speech and Language UK - Help for families provides a guide to the typical stages of speech and language development in babies, children, and young people.

Hungry Little Minds offers lots of simple, fun activities to fit into you and your baby's routine.

BBC Tiny Happy People SEND page offers a range of advice for children with special educational needs. 

Pregnancy to 5 years - if you need further services or support

Your midwife, health visitor or GP may refer you to additional services or support based on your family or child's needs, including Speech and Language Therapy Service to support speech, language, eating or swallowing needs (parents can also self-refer to the speech and language service).

You can make a referral to the Speech and Language Therapy Service online via the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

Early Years Settings (nurseries and childminders) registered with Ofsted follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework which includes support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Talk to your setting's SENCO (Special Educational Need Coordinator) for more information.

Stockton-on-Tees early support team provide home visiting, 1 to 1 and group support for pre-school for children with additional needs. GPs, health visitors, pediatricians or social workers may refer families the service based on their needs. 

The Stockton Local Offer contains a wide range of information for families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.