What’s new at SBT

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ASLTIP introduces the Sarah Buckley Award for Innovation

A picture of the star-shaped ASLTIP award name in Sarah Buckley's honour

At its AGM and conference last week, The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) unveiled a new award named in honour of SBT’s founder Sarah Buckley.

Sarah was ASLTIP’s chair at the time of her passing last year, but had been a member for 20 years and previously had been vice-chair and a consultant to the board. The organisation celebrated and mourned Sarah throughout the day.

To commemorate both her and her work, the ASLTIP board decided to create the innovation award in her name.

Charmaine Tearle announces the creation of the award

The ASLTIP board also named Sarah as the award’s first recipient. SBT’s current director – her husband, Rob – accepted the award on Sarah’s behalf, together with her mother, Diane, who was also the person who suggested she form Sarah Buckley Therapies nearly 15 years ago and was also SBT’s administrator for several years.

ASLTIP's new chair, Nicola Holmes, presents Rob and Diane with the first ever Sarah Buckley Award for Innovation
ASLTIP’s new chair, Nicola Holmes, presents Rob and Diane with the first ever Sarah Buckley Award for Innovation

The award will now sit in pride of place in Sarah’s office on her desk, which we have left just as it was when she was with us.

Sarah's desk, just as she left it

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Kickstart your career as an SLT: free workshop for final-year students!

Free workshop – your first year as an SLT

When: Friday 7 March at 9.30am
Duration: 1 hour
Where: Online (Zoom)
Cost: Free!

SBT would like to invite final-year SLT students to our free upcoming online workshop – Your First Year as an SLT.

We know that the first year can be daunting. You’ve learnt so much but now you’re going to apply it!

In this one-hour workshop, we will talk through how your first year might look as an SLT working in schools. We’ll share:

  • Top tips for your first year from our team
  • Some of the challenges and joys of working in schools
  • A day in the life of an SLT
  • Q and A 

For more information, email: [email protected]

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Meet the recipients of this year’s Sarah Buckley Student Grants

Every year, SBT is pleased to offer a series of student grants as part of our commitment to lifelong learning in speech and language therapy. These grants are for individuals undertaking training to become a Speech and Language Therapist.

This year, we have renamed the grants in honour of Sarah Buckley, our founder and the creator of the scheme, who passed away last year. They are now called the Sarah Buckley Student Grants.

The lucky recipients are:

  • Hattie Jones
  • Lucinda Ripley
  • Rhini Townend

They will each receive £500 and have access to various opportunities and support throughout their time at university.

Applications for 2025-26 will open in September. For more details, please visit our Student Grants page.

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Happy holidays from SBT!

Autumn Term has ended and to celebrate, SBT held its traditional Christmas social – including the much less traditional Bad Santa gift exchange game!

We somehow crammed ourselves into Filoxenia for some great Greek food for Christmas lunch, which also saw the return of the SBT Shelley Parkin Christmas Quiz. The quiz is named after Shelley Parkin, who was SBT’s second employee and wrote all of SBT’s original Christmas quizzes before she returned to New Zealand with her family. But Shelley was kind enough to supply a new quiz this year, leading to an unexpected worldwide competition between the UK and New Zealand to see who would get the highest score.

The winners were… Dulcie and Sally! Congratulations to them both!

Dulcie, Aimee, Tara, Rebecca and Angela
Grainne, Sally, Becca, Hannah, Natasha, Fede, Kelly, Sarah and Jasmine

As usual, our offices will be closed over the Christmas break, but we’ll be back on 6 January 2025. We wish you all a great festive period and New Year.

See you next year!

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Elklan training: Communication and Language Support for Autistic Pupils, hosted by SBT

What’s happening?

We’re running a 10-week, updated, evidence-based Elklan training course that will provide you with theoretical knowledge and an abundance of practical skills and ideas to support autistic pupils and/or individuals with social communication needs. 

It uses interactive teaching methods, practical activities, videos and group discussion to engage you and support your learning. 

Who is it for?

It is suitable for those who work in mainstream, special schools and specialist units, particularly teaching assistants.

It will empower you to develop the communication skills of pupils who need support to develop their language in a social context.

When is it?

There will be a meet-and-greet on Friday 17 January 2025 at 10-10.30am for everyone attending. The course will then continue every Tuesday from 21 January from 10-11am until 25 March, with a one-week break for half-term. The final session will be on 1 April from 10am to 10.30am

How much is it?

The full course costs £465 (including VAT) and includes the cost of the Elklan e-book as well as accreditation on completion of the course. For more information and to book your tickets, visit our Eventbrite page!

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Are you considering becoming an SLT? Then join our work experience workshop on 22nd November!

Karyn Cecchini and Shivani Lad at the Work Experience workshop

On Friday 22nd November, we will be running a workshop between 1:00pm and 4:00pm for those planning to apply for a speech and language therapy course or are curious about the profession and want to know more.

The workshop will give you an insight into the role of a speech and language therapist, and you will get the opportunity to shadow an SBT therapist in either a school or at our clinic.

The workshop will cover:

  • Misconceptions about speech and language therapy
  • The different layers of language and communication
  • Common strategies and techniques speech therapists use
  • How to apply techniques, using real-life case studies

The workshop will be held at our office in Bromley and will cost only £50 per person, £35 for students:

For more information, email: [email protected]

To book your place, visit our Eventbrite page

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Apply now for a Sarah Buckley Student Grant!

Every year, as part of our commitment to lifelong learning in the field of speech and language therapy, SBT is pleased to offer a series of student grants for individuals undertaking training to become a Speech and Language Therapist.

This year, we will be awarding three grants of £500 each. Additionally, the successful applicants will have access to various opportunities and support, throughout their time at university.

Renamed to honour SBT’s founder Sarah Buckley who passed away this year, the Sarah Buckley Student Grant Scheme is now accepting applications. To find out more and to apply, please visit the scheme’s home page.

The deadline for applications is 31st December 2024

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Attention Autism Training hosted by SBT

What’s happening?

A face-to-face, two-day training for Attention Autism, which equips individuals to run the four-stage programme targeting attention, communication and social interaction. The training focuses on practical intervention, teamwork and irresistible learning opportunities!

Who is it for?

SaLTs, LSAs, TAs, teachers, parents and individuals working with children with autism or attention and listening needs. Training is aimed at developing practical skills in order to become confident in setting up and running the programme.

£350/person (including lunch/refreshments)
20% student discount

Email [email protected] for more information or visit our Eventbrite page to book your tickets!

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Statement of condolence from RCSLT about SBT founder Sarah Buckley

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists has issued a statement of condolence about Sarah:

Sarah Buckley (1976-2024) 

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our dear colleague Sarah Buckley, Chair of the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice, who died earlier this week after a short illness.

Sarah was a true leader within the profession, driving the needs of independent therapists and the profession forward. She was immensely passionate about the world of speech and language therapy and her enthusiasm and drive helped to forge close relationships with the RCSLT, taking our joint working to new levels that will continue to be felt.

We will miss her enormously and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

RCSLT Staff and Trustees