WELCOME TO speech buddies
Building Brighter Futures Through Better Communication
Founded by Emma Harrison
AWARD WINNING independent speech and language therapist
Committed to Communication
Who are speech buddies?
We’re a team of dedicated and experienced Independent Speech and Language Therapists, here to help children across the North East of England thrive in their communication.
Our mission is simple: to help your child become their best self.
With the right support, a positive environment, and plenty of encouragement, we believe every child achieve their potential.
With over 25 years of experience, we support families, schools, and professionals both in person and online through teletherapy. We come to you - whether it’s at home, nursery, or school - so your child gets the help they need in the place they feel most comfortable.
We’re proud members of The Health & Care Professions Council,
and we can’t wait to meet your family and make a difference in your child’s life.
meet Emma
our founder
Emma Harrison started Speech Buddies with one simple goal: to make a real difference for families.
After 20 years working as a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist in the NHS, and with two little ones of her own, Emma decided it was time to do things differently.
In 2017, she set up her own practice to give families the personalised, flexible support they needed. What began as a one-woman mission has grown into a brilliant team of therapists, helping children across the North East find their voice.
Emma’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed - she’s even been recognised nationally for her work. But for her, it’s all about seeing children thrive and giving parents the tools to support them every step of the way.
Our mission
To empower children and their carers to transform lives
through effective communication, dedicated to supporting children, parents, carers and professionals in the development of speech, language and communication skills.
Services Provided
As licensed Independent Speech and Language Therapists, we aim to offer exceptional
services in order to meet our clients needs.
We are highly committed to offering client centered individual intervention and solution focused outcomes. We ensure we continue to develop professional skills by maintaining current and evidence based practice.
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Therapy is focused on achieving agreed outcomes through engaging, fun sessions tailored to the child's interests, whether in-person or online. The number of sessions recommended are based on the child’s individual needs, with daily/weekly activities provided for other settings outside of therapy sessions.
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Therapy is where the fun begins! We work jointly together on the agreed outcomes for intervention. Sessions are based around the child's interests and are fun and engaging whether face to face or online.
Block bookings are advised for therapy- usually between 6-8 sessions initially, with weekly activities given to provide carry over into other settings outside of therapy.
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A school Speech and Language contract allows schools to enhance children's needs by collaborating with an Independent Therapist and NHS Speech and Language Services. It can include, but is not exclusive of, individual care packages with updated targets and resources, individual or group therapy, support for SENDCo, teachers, and assistants, reports and training packages.
School Contracts can include:
- individual packages of care for each child, which include targets and resources that are updated regularly
- individual and/or group therapy for children
- support for SENDCo, teachers and TAs as appropriate
- reports on request
- training packages
Have you ever wondered how you can support your child’s speech development at home?
Or wondered what strategies can make a real difference?
Finding the right techniques for supporting your child’s speech sound development can be one of the best ways to enhance their communication skills and overall confidence.
happy clients
free download
Do you want to support your child's speech and language development through play?
Play is a crucial part of early childhood growth, allowing children to learn important skills even when they're playing quietly.
By incorporating play into your daily routine, you can help expand your child's speech and language abilities while also fostering cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
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areas we cover in the north east
Darlington | Bishop Auckland | Durham | Newcastle | Gateshead | Hexham | Yarm | Stockton | Teesside | Corbridge | Stocksfield | Prudhoe | Consett
Including close surrounding areas
frequently asked questions
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Speech and Language Therapists are fully qualified professionals who assess, diagnose and treat speech, language, communication and swallowing problems. Speech and Language Therapists are trained to work with both children and adults and aim to maximise each individual’s potential to communicate. A Speech and Language Therapist will work with the client, their family and other professionals to achieve the best possible care. Speech and Language Therapists work in a range of settings including, schools, homes, hospitals and clinics.
All our Speech and Language therapists are fully qualified and are registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), and are members of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT).
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Speech and language therapy benefits anyone who has a speech, language, communication or swallowing difficulty. Speech and language therapy helps children and adults of all ages and abilities. Speech and language therapy can also provide education, training and support for families, friends and other professionals who are involved in the client’s care.
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At Speech Buddies we can treat a variety of conditions which impact upon speech, language and communication. Common conditions or areas of need we treat include:
Neurodiversity
Autism Spectrum disorder
Learning difficulties
Hearing loss and impairment
Language delay/disorder
Speech delay/ disorder
Communication problems
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Treatment at Speech Buddies will offer a specialised service to help individuals with speech, language, and communication needs.
Speech and language therapy treatment will start with an initial assessment. An initial assessment will help to identify if a client has a speech, language, or communication difficulty and also the severity of their difficulty.
The Speech and Language Therapist will then decide what the best method of treatment will be for that client. The type of treatment given will vary for each individual and depend on their specific needs and abilities.
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The type of treatment given will depend on the specific needs and abilities of each client. Our Speech and Language Therapists offer individualised treatment plans for each client, which will be tailored to their specific needs and abilities.
We do not have a set number of treatment sessions for our clients. An initial assessment will help us to determine what type of treatment to give and also the duration and number of sessions needed. Treatment can be once a week, however this may be more or less depending on the severity and type of speech, language and communication difficulty.
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At Speech Buddies we provide a service to suit the needs and requirements of our clients. Assessment and therapy sessions take place in home or education settings. We do not work from a clinic base, the service is delivered directly to you at your preferred location.
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Yes. The earlier a client is treated for a speech, language or communication difficulty the better. It is well researched that early intervention is highly beneficial for individuals with speech, language and communication difficulties.
Due to longer waiting lists in the NHS, regular intervention is sometimes not possible. At Speech Buddies we do do not hold waiting lists and aim to see clients at a time and place best suited to their needs and requirements. You can see a private Speech and Language Therapist whilst on an NHS waiting list, or see us whilst also receiving NHS treatment. Having private treatment will not affect your NHS entitlement in any way. We work collaboratively with your NHS Speech and Language Therapist t provide consistent and continuous care.
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No, we can accept referrals from any source. Common referral sources include self-referrals and referrals from family members.
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There are no waiting lists for our speech and language therapy services; we aim to see all of our clients at a time and place to suit them and as soon as possible after an initial enquiry.
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Darlington
Bishop Auckland
Durham
Newcastle
Gateshead
Hexham
Yarm
Stockton
Teesside
Corbridge
Stocksfield
Prudhoe
Consett
Including close surrounding areas.