Maximising the impact of speech and language therapy for children with speech sound disorder - Phase 2 England
This study is about making speech therapy better for children in the UK who have trouble speaking clearly. Every year, many children get help from the NHS for these speech sound disorders, but we don't always know what therapy works best. We previously worked with families and therapists to create a 'Core Outcome Set' – a list of important things to measure before and after therapy, like how many sounds a child can say correctly. This study is testing if it's practical to collect this information routinely in five NHS clinics. By gathering data from many children, we hope to understand which speech therapies are most helpful. Taking part will help improve therapy for future generations of children with speech problems.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Imagine your child has trouble saying certain sounds, and you're getting help from a speech and language therapist. There are different ways to help children with speech sound disorder, but it's not always clear which methods work best for each child. This study aims to figure this out so that more children can get the most effective therapy.
To do this, we've developed a special list called a 'Core Outcome Set.' This list includes the key things that help us understand if a child's speech is improving. For example, it looks at how many sounds a child can say correctly and also considers what parents or carers notice about how easily their child can be understood. By regularly checking these things, we can see what changes happen during therapy.
This study is a test drive to see if it's practical for NHS speech and language therapists to collect this information as part of their usual appointments. We're working with five NHS clinics to see how it goes. If we can successfully gather this data from many children across the country, it will help us learn which types of speech therapy are most helpful for different speech difficulties.
Key takeaways
- A study to improve speech therapy for children.
- Children's therapy won't change, only how progress is tracked.
- Aims to find out which therapies work best.
- Involves 5 NHS clinics in England.
- No expected risks for children taking part.
- Results could help many children in the future.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for children and young people between the ages of 2 and 18 who are currently getting speech therapy for a speech sound disorder from one of the five NHS clinics taking part. Their speech difficulty shouldn't be due to another known condition like a cleft palate or hearing loss.
We also need parents or carers of these children to complete some questionnaires. Additionally, speech and language therapists, their managers, and people who arrange NHS services (called 'commissioners') who work at these five NHS sites are also invited to take part in interviews or focus groups.
Unfortunately, adults over 18, children whose speech problems are caused by other medical conditions, or those not receiving therapy at one of the participating sites, won't be able to join this specific study.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Is my child between 2 and 18 years old?
- Does my child have a speech sound disorder?
- Is my child currently getting speech therapy from one of the participating NHS clinics?
- Is my child's speech problem NOT caused by another known condition like a cleft palate or hearing loss?
- Am I willing to complete some questionnaires?
- Am I willing to give consent for my child to participate?
What does participation involve?
If your child is invited to take part, they will continue with their usual speech and language therapy sessions. The therapy itself will not change. During these sessions, the therapist will use a new electronic form to record information about your child's speech, their therapy goals, and how they are progressing. As a parent or carer, you might be asked to fill out some questionnaires. If you are an NHS staff member (a speech therapist, manager, or commissioner), you might be invited to attend a focus group or an interview to share your thoughts on collecting this information. The study is expected to run from March 2026 to February 2027.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (6)
- Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS TrustCity onlySt. Ives, England
- Hertfordshire Community NHS TrustCity onlyWelwyn Garden City, England
- The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyNewcastle upon Tyne, England
- Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyBirkenhead, England
- County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyDarlington, England
- North Bristol NHS TrustUnverifiedBristol, England
Common questions
What is a speech sound disorder?
It means a child has trouble making certain speech sounds, which can make it hard for others to understand them.
Will my child's therapy change if we join?
No, your child will continue to receive the same speech therapy as before. Only how the information about their progress is recorded will change.
What is a 'Core Outcome Set'?
It's a list of important things that will be measured before and after therapy to see how much a child's speech has improved.
Who is paying for this study?
The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in the UK.
Who can I contact for more information?
You can contact Dr Sam Burr at misltoe@nbt.nhs.uk if you have any questions.
How to find out more
Sam Burr
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.