Children's services
On this page
Children’s Allied Health Professionals support babies, children and young people across Argyll and Bute.
Information on this page refers to services provided within the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership area.
Important: Contacts
Just Ask AHP advice line
Read more about this advice line.
phone 01546 703 333
Available every Tuesday between 9.30am and 11.30am.
Occupational therapy workshops
Read more about these workshops. For questions:
email nhsh.argyllandbutepaedot@nhs.scot
Speech and language therapy workshops
Read more about these workshops. For questions:
About our teams
In Scotland, services work together using the approach known as Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC). This means agencies work alongside families to make sure children receive the right help, at the right time.
Our Allied Health Professional (AHP) teams work with doctors, nurses and health visitors to support the health and wellbeing of all children in Argyll and Bute. Our Children’s Allied Health Professional team includes:
- Occupational Therapists (OTs) - supporting everyday skills such as play, learning, dressing, feeding and independence.
- Physiotherapists (PTs) - supporting movement, coordination, posture and physical development.
- Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) - supporting speech, language, communication and eating and drinking skills.
- Dietitians - supporting nutrition, growth and specialist dietary needs. We work in partnership with parents and carers. We also work closely with nurseries, schools and other professionals to support children in the environments that are important to them.
Our approach
We aim to provide support as early as possible. Sometimes a small amount of advice at the right time can prevent concerns from becoming more significant difficulties. Early guidance and practical strategies can support your child’s development and confidence.
Families can access support in different ways. Many parents and carers first contact us through the Advice Line or attend one of our parent workshops. These services are open access. You do not need a referral to be able to attend, and you can contact us while waiting for an appointment.
We can offer different levels of support that match you family and child’s needs - this can include:
- providing clear advice and information
- sharing practical strategies for home and school
- working with nursery and school staff to make helpful adjustments
- offering specialist assessment and intervention where required
Children’s needs change as they grow. The support needed at age 2 may look different from the support needed at age 10 or 15. Our aim is to provide the right level of support at each stage of your child’s development. We will always listen to your concerns and work with you to agree appropriate next steps.
Just Ask AHP advice line
The Just Ask AHP Advice Line offers parents, carers and professionals direct access to advice from a Children’s Allied Health Professional. You can contact the advice line if you:
- have questions about your child’s development
- would like strategies to try at home or in school
- would like reassurance or guidance
During your call, an AHP will listen to your concerns and provide advice tailored to your situation. Where appropriate, we will discuss possible next steps and explain available supports. You can contact us for advice about:
- movement, physical development and play
- weaning, eating and nutrition
- talking, communication and understanding
- everyday routines and building independence
- how your child responds to sensory information (for example sound, touch or movement)
This is an advice-only service. It does not replace referral pathways and does not affect waiting times. However, it can help you support your child while waiting for assessment.
See Contacts for the advice line number.
Questions and answers
Occupational therapy workshops
Understanding your child’s sensory preferences
We offer an online workshop for parents and carers of children living in Argyll and Bute whose sensory processing differences are impacting on daily life. This session provides information about how children respond to sensory information and explains how sensory preferences can affect participation in everyday activities.
The workshop includes:
- an overview of sensory processing
- information about different sensory responses
- practical strategies to support regulation and participation at home and in school
- opportunities to reflect on your child’s individual sensory profile
This is a parent-and-carer-only session. The workshop is free to attend. Please register in advance so that we can send you a copy of the parent workbook before the session.
Speech and language therapy workshops
We offer a range of free online workshops for parents and carers living in Argyll and Bute. Workshops are delivered by qualified Speech and Language Therapists working within Argyll and Bute. Sessions take place online via our secure NHS platform, Near Me.
See upcoming dates for these workshops and book places at Eventbrite here.
See Contacts for questions about these workshops.
Early Language Parent and Carer Workshop
For children of approximately 2 to 4 years. Supports word learning and phrase building. This workshop covers typical language development, information about language delay or disorder, and practical activities to use at home.
Early Speech Parent and Carer Workshop
For children of approximately 3 to 5 years. Supports clear speech development. Covers typical speech development, information about speech delay or disorder, and everyday strategies to support speech at home.
Early Attention, Listening and Play Workshop
For children of approximately 2 to 5 years. Supports social communication, listening and play skills. Includes information about early communication development and practical activities to use in daily routines.
Word Learning Workshop
For children of primary school age 5 to 11 years. Supports vocabulary development and word finding skills. Includes strategies to support word retrieval and curriculum-based vocabulary learning.
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Feedback
Feedback from parents who have attended in the past:
"Good information and tips. Helpful and friendly workshop leader. Easy to access remotely."
(Parent and attendee - Early Language Workshop)
"Easy to attend as remote. Good information and helpful tips. Good to have advice while on waiting list."
(Parent and attendee - Early Attention, Listening and Play Workshop)
"I would recommend it as it is very informative and has given me more ideas on how to communicate in different ways."
(Parent and attendee - Early Attention, Listening and Play Workshop)
In-person services and locations
Other services
Your Services
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Know who to turn to
Know how to get the right care, in the right place.
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In-person services and locations
Lists and exact locations of hospitals, A&E departments, care homes, GP and dental practices, sexual health clinics, ...
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Near Me
NHS Highland offers Near Me video appointments.
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Access to services
Accessibility, and ways to help you access your services. Related services for patients and public.