Introduction
Across the UK, Local Authorities are under growing pressure to meet rising demand for Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) services.
With waiting lists growing in length, budgets tightening, and workforce shortages continuing to impact the accessibility of speech and language therapy to children; the need for a more scalable and sustainable approach to SALT provision has never been more apparent.
In this blog, we explore what virtual Speech and Language Therapy looks like, why it’s becoming increasingly important, and how it can support your statutory responsibilities without compromising on outcomes or quality.
The Challenge Facing Local Authorities
Local Authorities are currently facing a perfect storm:
Rising Incidence of Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN): 1 in 5 children in the UK are affected by speech and language issues, which is a record high (Speech and Language UK, 2025).
Long Waiting Lists: Many services have backlogs stretching several months or even years. In June 2024, more than 75,000 children were on the waiting list for Speech and Language Therapy. Out of this, 28,000 of these children were waiting more than 18 weeks, whilst almost 6,000 children were waiting over a year (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, 2024).
Staffing Shortages: NHS and local SALT teams are struggling to recruit and retain qualified therapists.
Increasing Demand for EHCPs: More children are presenting with complex needs, driving up the demand for timely, high-quality assessments and interventions. Between January 2024 and 2025, there had been a 10.8% increase in EHCPs (Department for Education, 2025).
Budget Constraints: Local Authorities are under immense financial pressure and need solutions that offer both value for money and measurable outcomes.
Virtual therapy offers a model that meets these challenges head-on. If we don’t adapt now, how much longer can we afford to let children wait?
What Is Virtual SALT Provision?
Virtual Speech and Language Therapy delivers the same evidence-based interventions and professional expertise - but through a secure online platform. Here’s how it works at Mable Therapy:
Live Sessions with Qualified Therapists: Children work 1-1 with an experienced HCPC-registered Band 6 or 7+ speech and language therapist via secure video conferencing.
Interactive Digital Tools: Sessions include engaging games, exercises, and activities which have been designed by therapists, to boost motivation, engagement and retention.
Structured Programmes: Every intervention follows a clinically sound plan, tailored to the child’s individual needs.
Collaboration with Schools and Families: Therapists maintain ongoing communication with schools and parents, with weekly session reports; and direct access for parents.
Is Online Speech Therapy Effective?
Regarding virtual SALT and its benefits over face-to-face Speech and Language Therapy, a variety of clinical trials have found there to be no significant differences between outcomes of online and in-person therapy (Grogan-Johnson et al., 2013), with some concluding that online therapy performs ‘somewhat better’ (Sanchez et al., 2019).
In a 2019 systematic literature review into speech, language and hearing telehealth services, most studies concluded that the telehealth procedure has advantages over the non-telehealth alternative approach (85.5%) (Molini-Avejonas et al., 2015).
The American Association of Speech and Hearing (ASHA) and Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) have both agreed in their position statements that teletherapy is a viable option for therapy and it has been proven to support and even enhance the effectiveness of in-person specialist interventions.
Our partners are also spreading the word about Mable. Working with our partners at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, we have supported nearly 300 children and young people through timely assessment. Feedback from the team has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re proud to have received exceptional feedback such as the following:
“Feedback from our team has been overwhelmingly positive. Not only have you helped us to significantly reduce our waiting list, but you’ve done so in a way that has maintained clinical quality, upheld safeguarding, and above all, treated each child and family with care, respect, and empathy. The collaboration has shown the powerful potential of digital innovation when used meaningfully and with a true understanding of families’ needs.” - Carly Hartshorn, Service Manager - Children’s Therapies at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust.
What are the Benefits for Local Authorities?
Virtual SALT is not just an alternative - it offers clear advantages that align with the strategic goals of Local Authorities and MATs including tackling long wait lists; Section F EHCP delivery, and 1-1 assessments.
1. Reduced Waiting Times
Virtual delivery removes geographical and logistical constraints, allowing therapists to start sessions faster. At Mable Therapy, we aim to organise appointments in under 48 hours.
2. Geographic Equity
For children in rural or isolated areas, it can be more of a struggle to access in-person therapy. With virtual delivery, every child, regardless of postcode, receives the same high-quality support.
3. Flexible Scheduling
Therapy sessions can be delivered in school, at home, or in care settings, without the need for travel. We’ve got it covered!
4. Access to Specialist Therapists
Virtual models remove local recruitment constraints. Local Authorities can access therapists with specific expertise - such as ASD, SEMH, or bilingual needs from a national talent pool.
5. Scalable and Cost-Efficient
Whether you need support for 5 or 500 children, virtual therapy scales easily. Mable Therapy also comes with flexible payment options.
Common Concerns - Debunked
It’s natural to have questions. Here’s what we hear most often - and how the evidence stacks up.
“Will children actually engage through a screen?”
Yes - and often more than you’d expect! Our platform is designed with engagement in mind, using gamified tools and therapist-led interaction. Many children are less anxious in a virtual setting than in a clinical room.
“Is it safe and compliant?”
Absolutely. At Mable Therapy all our therapists are HCPC registered, and certified with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). Our platform is fully GDPR compliant, and our clinical delivery model is built on the highest standards of compliance and safeguarding. Full information regarding safeguarding and compliance is available on our webpage.
What a Partnership Can Look Like
Every Local Authority is different, so we tailor our approach to your needs. We offer rollouts at completely differing scales, from just a single trust to larger scale trusts.
And, not only can Mable Therapy provide 1-1 speech therapy sessions from just 48 hours of referral, we also offer screener tools to assess and recognise pupils who have SLCN and may require additional support. This is called the Mable Early Language and Communication Screener (MELCs).
We additionally offer staff training via the Mable Academy, which provides resources for your team to upskill on key topics surrounding speech and language.
Final Thoughts
The needs of children with speech, language, and communication difficulties aren’t going away - and the systems meant to support them are under increasing strain. Virtual therapy offers a modern, proven, and scalable solution that puts children first while giving Local Authorities the tools to deliver high-quality, sustainable support.
At Mable Therapy, we’re proud to support Local Authorities across the UK who are reimagining what inclusive, effective SALT provision can look like.
To learn more, click here, or to speak to a member of our team in more detail, click here to book a call.
