An evaluation of an integrated model of speech and language therapy in public health practice for early language development

Abstract

Speech and language therapists (SLT) frequently operate in an integrated manner, working with other professionals in the delivery of services to children. Since the end of the 1990s within the UK SLTs have developed integrated services within the field of public health. This study reports an evaluation of an integrated model of service delivery for a family focused health promotion service for early language development, the Babytalk Home Visiting (BTHV) service in terms of reach and perceived quality of service delivery. Children’s Centres workers were trained to deliver the service alongside existing SLT assistants. Ongoing supervision was delivered by the SLT service. The effect of integrated staffing was compared with the original single agency model through comparison of contact monitoring data and parental feedback questionnaires. Availability of the BTHV service was successfully extended by a factor of 4.46 and actual contacts by a factor of 3.96 compared to a staffing increase of a factor of 2.88. There was no evidence of a significant difference between results of parental evaluation forms from the extended service and the original service, indicating that the quality of service delivery was not compromised. Limitations of evaluation methods are highlighted and research priorities recommended.