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Information for commissioners

The titles ‘speech therapist’ and ‘speech and language therapist’ are protected titles in the United Kingdom and are regulated by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). To use these titles, our independent speech and language therapists have all completed a registered and accredited degree-level course at either undergraduate (BSc Hons) level or postgraduate (PG Dip or MSc) level.

Speech and Language Therapists assess communication and then provide treatment enabling people to communicate to the best of their ability. Speech and Language Therapists with the appropriate specialist training assess swallowing problems and then provide advice and strategies for achieving safe swallowing.

Speech and Language Therapists work closely with the client’s family. They also work closely with staff working in nurseries, schools, and other care facilities when working within an educational or care setting.

They liaise, and often work closely, with other medical professionals involved in a person’s care.

All members of ASLTIP are registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They are committed to good business standards and best practice levels of clinical service.

When a commissioner of speech and language therapy services engages with an independent speech and language therapist who is a member of ASLTIP they can, therefore, be assured that the member has these important registrations and is a qualified ‘speech and language therapist’ or ‘speech therapist’ as recognised by the HCPC.

ASLTIP holds a register of its members and provides a searchable database of speech therapists who are available to members of the public and commissioners.

Members’ entries list their areas of experience and expertise in clinical areas. A member who offers provisions for the commissioning of services can be located by entering the ‘locality’ and selecting the ‘service provisions’ option on our Find a Therapist search tool.

Many of ASLTIP’s members have experience in the delivery of services for a range of settings, including:

  • Early years settings
  • Schools and colleges
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing and care homes
  • Day centres
  • Therapy centres

Members of ASLTIP set their own rates and manage their own independent contracts with the commissioner of the speech and language therapy service.

Members of ASLTIP are responsible for providing a service level agreement for the commissioner of the speech and language therapy service.  At a minimum, a service level agreement should include information about the following:

  • Duration of the agreement
  • Number of hours/ days per week being commissioned
  • Rate of service (hourly or daily)
  • Types of duties included in the hours of service, including the administrative duties associated with the speech and language therapy profession
  • Termination clause

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists has researched and created a go to document for education settings wanting to commission SLT and will assist further with questions and logistics.

The document “Guidance for education settings on commissioning (buying in) speech and language therapy services and training” can be accessed here

Find an independent speech and language therapists to provide your provision now

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Interested in becoming a member?

ASLTIP’s membership has been growing rapidly since 1989. We are a support organisation run by our members. The executive board is always grateful for new members and new ideas.

Apply for a membership
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