Private and confidential
In this document the terms ‘I’ and ‘Therapist’ refer to Jane Clark, Speech and Language Therapist, MASLTIP. The term ‘parent/guardian/carer’ refers the person signing this agreement.
Working hours
My working hours are 9.30am – 3.30pm Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. However, you are welcome to email me/leave messages on other days as there may be occasions I can respond outside of these dedicated working times and days.
Location and travel
Appointments will be offered in either your home or if more appropriate, in your child’s nursery or school. I work in the South Oxfordshire area. The first 10 miles in any direction that I travel from my home in Pangbourne, West Berkshire, are free. Thereafter mileage will be charged at 50 pence per mile.
Role of parent/guardian
It is expected that a parent is present throughout the session when this is in the home. Parents may also attend school therapy sessions and be present for feedback and meetings.
Speech and Language Therapy is most effective when parents, teaching assistant or teachers observe sessions. This ensures greater understanding of how therapy is helping your child and develops additional confidence and skills in carrying out ideas in the home and school environment. Regular practice of speech and language therapy strategies / activities between sessions is essential (e.g. daily).
A member of staff should be present during school therapy sessions. If this is not feasible, brief feedback will be given after the session via an agreed method (e.g. email/phone call/homework sheets).
Consent
In order to see a child for assessment and, if appropriate, therapy sessions, parental consent is required. You will be asked to complete and sign two copies of a consent form prior to or at the beginning of the initial assessment appointment. A copy of this form can be found on www.janeclarkslt.co.uk for your information. The consent form confirms that you have read and agree to all the terms and conditions set out in this document.
Services and fees
I do not offer services in the area of second opinions, tribunals, medico-legal work/reports, EHCP reports.
Fees for the main services I offer are listed below.
Any child being seen for the first time would require an initial assessment (see options below), even if they have been assessed by a previous Speech and Language Therapist. If therapy sessions are advised following an initial appointment, I would offer guidelines as to the frequency and structure of these sessions.
Initial assessment appointments (home & school based)
All initial assessment appointments include:
- Gathering background information with the parent/carer.
- Informal / formal assessment with child - if appropriate.
- Verbal feedback towards the end of the appointment (or an agreed time after).
Initial assessments typically last 75 minutes. Location of the initial assessment will be discussed with you and will depend on what the current concerns are.
A brief written summary following initial assessment outlining findings and any recommendations can be provided for an additional fee. This would be sent via email within two weeks of the initial visit.
A full report following initial assessment, containing detailed analysis of formal assessment, speech/language samples and therapeutic aims, can be requested for an additional fee. This would be sent via email within two weeks of the initial visit.
Initial Assessment Appointment: £110
Initial Assessment Appointment with brief written summary: £170
Initial Assessment Appointment with full report: £270
At times, initial assessments take longer than the times given above. This will depend on the age of the child and the complexity of the difficulties and situation. If a further, initial assessment session of up to 60 minutes is required, then the fee for this will be £85 and will be discussed with you at the end of the first initial assessment session.
Therapy sessions face to face (home & school based): £80
This will be approximately 45 minutes of face to face time with the child and accompanying adult. In addition, time will be spent before the appointment preparing for the session and afterwards for writing up. Where appropriate, at the end of each session materials & activities will be provided for parents/education staff to practice therapy targets.
If circumstances arise where it is felt appropriate to have shorter or longer therapy sessions, then this will be agreed between the therapist and parent/guardian and fees will be adjusted accordingly.
Therapy sessions via telehealth: £75
This will be approximately 45 minutes of video-conferencing time with the child and accompanying adult. In addition, time will be spent before the appointment preparing for the session and afterwards for writing up. Where appropriate, before or after each session, materials & activities will be provided via email for parents/education staff to practice therapy targets.
Review appointment/assessments: £85
This would be following a break in contact/sessions of at least two months and the child must have already been seen by me for an initial assessment. This will take around 60 minutes. This appointment does not include a report or written advice. Please see below for fees relating to reports and written advice.
Reports/written advice: £50 - £150
Reports, programmes and target sheets can be requested at any time and the price will vary from £50 - £150 depending on the time involved in producing the document and the type of information required. The fee will be discussed and agreed prior to commencing the report/programme/target sheet.
Meetings: £85
Up to 60 minutes. Meetings lasting longer would be charged at £20 for each additional 20 minutes.
Telephone discussions
The first 30 minutes are free for parents/carers making initial, informal contact with any inquiries.
The first 15 minutes are free for parents/carers wishing to arrange/change appointments, discuss therapy sessions, etc.
Thereafter a fee of £5 per 15 minutes will be charged following the phone call, which should be paid in full within 14 days of the date on the invoice.
If a telephone call to another professional (such as an NHS SLT or teacher) is required, then fees will be discussed prior to the phone call but are based on the above rate of £5 per 15 minutes.
Payment
Payment should be prior to or on the day of the appointment. Failure to do so could lead to the appointment being cancelled by the therapist. The preferred method of payment is bank transfer. However, if unable to use this method, then cash is also accepted.
Invoices for telephone calls must be paid within 14 days of the date of the invoice.
Session rates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change at any time.
Failed/missed payments
If payment is not made in line with the terms and conditions above then the therapist has the right to cancel any arranged appointments.
If after one reminder, payment is still not received, and alternative arrangements have not been agreed in writing between the therapist and parent/guardian, then debt collection proceedings may be commenced.
Cancellation
It is expected that all parties will give as much notice as possible if a session needs to be cancelled/rearranged. If the therapist needs to change an appointment, then this will be rearranged for the earliest mutually convenient date.
The therapist reserves the right to terminate services at any time. Where payments have been made in advance and the therapist has not seen the child for the appointment which has been pre-paid for, then the full fee will be reimbursed to the parent/guardian.
If a session is cancelled by a parent/guardian with at least 24 hours notice, then no fee will be charged.
If a session is cancelled by a parent/guardian with less than 24 hours notice, the full fee of the session will be charged. It is at the digression of the therapist to waver this fee if she feels the circumstances of the cancellation are extenuating.
If the therapist arrives for the appointment but a session cannot take place and no prior notice has been given (e.g. a child is unwell or not in the right frame of mind for the appointment), then the full fee of the session will be charged, including any travel costs incurred. It is at the discretion of the therapist to waver this fee if she feels the circumstances of the cancellation are extenuating.
If it has been agreed with the therapist that a visit to an educational setting is appropriate, then it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to let the therapist know if the session needs to be cancelled/rearranged.
Liaising with other professionals
To ensure that everyone who is working with your child is aware of their progress, it is recommended that I liaise with others. This may include your child’s NHS Speech & Language Therapist, education or medical staff. You will be asked to give your permission for this and will be required to sign a consent form indicating agreement prior to the initial assessment appointment.
Discharge criteria
A child will be discharged when:
· They are at a level that is within the broad average range for their age
· They are no longer responding to therapy
· They have significantly improved and are likely to progress without further intervention or support
· The therapist feels it is appropriate to cease therapy
· The parent/guardian decides to cease therapy for their child
· Fees are not paid
Concerns/complaints
If you have any concerns, please direct them to me in the first instance and hopefully we can resolve any issues together. If however, you do not feel this is the case, and you wish to instigate a formal complaint, then you can contact the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice for further advice.
Use of video/photographs
Some assessment and therapy techniques involve the use of video and/or photographs of your child. For example, videoing your child saying certain sounds so they can listen back to themselves and self-monitor their own progress with the production of those sounds.
Data Protection/Privacy Policy
The attached ‘Privacy Policy’ document sets out the therapist's policy in relation to the holding and using of information about you and your child which may be obtained from you or other sources during your treatment. This is in line with the GDPR 2018. Please read it before signing the consent form.
COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, there may be some restrictions and/or alterations to the way speech and language therapy support as outlined in this document, can be delivered. These conditions are subject to change in line with Government guidance and advice from my Governing body, The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists at the relevant time.
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