Advice for prospective speech and language therapists

What do you have to do to become a speech and language therapist?  Firstly it’s recommended to find out more about what the profession involves.  You can do this by looking on this website to find information.  The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists also provides advice on what the job involves.  A link to the Royal College website can be found on the right hand side of this page. Most universities now ask that you are able to provide evidence of having done some relevant voluntary work.  Speech and language therapists work in a variety of settings so there are plenty of people you can contact.  These include hospitals, schools, nurseries, nursing homes and voluntary groups.  Charities such as the Stroke Association and Headway are always on the look out for volunteers.  Headway works with people who have suffered traumatic brain injury whilst the Stroke Association helps people who have suffered strokes and their families.  For children Sure Start may be able to offer voluntary placements.Other avenues to explore are your local NHS trusts.  Often they are able to offer work shadowing placements.  Phone your local hospital or NHS clinic and ask to be put through to the speech and language therapy department. Private speech and language therapists do not normally offer placements for students.