Bolton Early Years Integrated Communication and Language Pathway

Early Years professionals should continue to use the Bolton Early Years Integrated Communication and Language Pathway and support children and families with universal and targeted strategies as good practice.

Talking Walk-Ins are replacing the pre-school referral route for speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

What are Talking Walk-ins and who are they for? 

Talking Walk-ins are: 

• Play-based drop-in sessions where families can speak to the Speech and Language Therapy Service, Family Hub Practitioners or other staff. 
• For pre-school aged children (0-4yrs) where there may be a concern about their speech, language or communication.

The family and their child will be able to play with the toys available while therapy staff observe. There will be time for families to discuss their concerns with staff.

Talking Walk-ins provide advice or ideas that families can to try at home. Therapy staff may signpost familes to other support within your local area or invite them to a follow-up with the speech and language therapy service.

Every attending family will leave with a Talking Walk-in takeaway leaflet that they will be encouraged to share with their childcare provider and other professionals supporting the child and family.  

Therapy staff can only see children who are accompanied by parents or foster carers (foster carers must have written consent from the person with parental responsibility). 

It is important to note that families already involved with the Speech and Language Therapy service do not need to attend a Talking Walk-in session. 

What should parents bring?

Families should bring:

• Their child’s most recent WellComm information and any activities which have been completed by them or in their child’s education setting.  
• If parents do not have this, they are still welcome to come along. 

How and when can parents access a Talking Walk-in?

• Talking Walk-ins are drop-in sessions that are *available every week, all year round (except bank holidays), in Best Start Family Hubs across the borough. Families can contact their local hub for the most up to date times.
• There is no need to book, families can just turn up. 
• The child must be registered with a Bolton GP.

*Session times may differ during school holidays.

Talking Walk-in session dates

From Monday 21st September 2026 the play based drop-in session will take place at:

• Oxford Grove Best Start Family Hub, Mondays, 9:15am - 10:45am
• Oldhams Best Start Family Hub, Mondays, 1:15pm - 2:45pm
• Tonge Best Start Family Hub, Tuesdays, 9:15am - 10:45am
• Farnworth Best Start Family Hub, Wednesdays, 9:15am - 10:45am
• Great Lever Best Start Family Hub, Thursdays, 9:15am - 10:45am
• Harvey Best Start Family Hub, Thursdays, 1:15pm -2:45pm
• Bright Meadows Best Start Family Hub, Fridays, 9:15am - 10:45am
• Alexandra Best Start Family Hub, Fridays, 1:15pm - 2:45pm

Please remember, session times may differ during school holidays and will not take place on a bank holiday.

Talking Walk-in flyer

Download the Talking Walk-in Flyer September 2026 to share with families.

Bookable Talking Walk-in appointments

Allocation of bookable appointments is at the professional's discretion and may be considered for families who require interpreter support or who have more complex needs or need reasonable adjustments. These appointments are intended to support specific communication or engagement requirements and should not be used solely to accommodate parental work commitments, which should be discussed through the usual arrangements. Professionals are asked to support parents in booking an appointment only when a drop-in style Talking Walk-in service does not meet the families needs.

Visit Eventbrite to find out more and book an appointment (appointments will be added soon).