ABSTRACT
Speech and language therapists work with children and adults who have difficulties with communication or with eating, drinking or swallowing. They work closely with parents and carers and other professionals such as teachers, psychologists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and doctors. Approximately 10,000 speech and language therapists practise in the UK and the majority are employed by the National Health Service (NHS). Other therapists work for education services or charities and some work independently and treat patients privately. The contexts in which they work are varied, and include community health centres, hospital wards and outpatient departments, mainstream and special schools, day centres and clients’ homes. Some speech and language therapists work in prisons and young offenders’ institutions.
