Speech and language therapy policy in Scotland

RCSLT Scotland

Working in partnership with members across Scotland, we aim to maximise representation and promote the profession at every level.

We lead campaigns and influence policy and legislation, building relationships with MSPs, Scottish Government ministers and civil servants.

We support SLTs to advocate for their services locally, providing strategic advice and practical resources.

Our work is led by feedback and input from members.

Key priorities

In consultation with RCSLT members across Scotland, we have set the following priorities for 2024/25:

Supply – Increase the supply of speech and language therapists in Scotland

Funding – Protect and develop funding for speech and language therapy

Leadership – Support and develop leadership in the profession, empowering members to influence effectively

Wellbeing & Engagement – Support the wellbeing and engagement of members

Profile – Raise the profile of speech and language therapists and the people they serve

Policy – Improve and influence national and local policy

Campaigns

VoiceBox Awards 2025 is a national joke telling competition for primary school children developed by the RCSLT, designed to raise awareness of the fun and importance of communication. This year’s competition is kindly supported by Collins Big Cat. It will offer schools across Scotland a light-hearted and inclusive way for pupils to develop their communication skills and build their confidence and self-esteem.

Giving Voice aims to ‘give voice’ to people with speech, language and communication needs, to ensure their needs and those of their carers and families, are met. We equip our members to demonstrate locally how speech and language therapy makes a difference to individuals and society, whilst RCSLT officers work to engage decision makers and the media at a national level.

Communication Access UK is an initiative, developed in partnership with charities and organisations, that shares a vision to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties.

Right to Rehab Coalition – RCSLT Scotland is a member of the Right to Rehab Coalition, a collective of health charities and professional bodies who are committed to delivering the Right to Rehab in Scotland. Our aim is to ensure that everyone has access to rehab when needed and people’s needs can be met locally by having the right workforce and professional leadership in place.

COVID Inquiry

November 2024 – Covid Inquiry – Glenn Carter evidence from 1:29:50

For Scotland RCSLT news and SLT related news, follow us on X @rcsltscot

Consultation responses

Newsletters

We send out bi-monthly newsletters to our members which provide an update from Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, and keeps members informed on the latest news, ways to get involved in RCSLT work and upcoming events in Scotland.

View our recent newsletters. (Please note this page is behind a member paywall)

Who should I influence in Scotland?

External stakeholders in Scotland you can seek to influence include:

Health Boards
Local authorities and Councillors – councillors who lead and or sit on relevant scrutiny committees, Chief Executives, Financial Directors and Directors of Education
Schools
MSPs
Health and Social Care Integration Partnerships
Integration Joint Boards – chief officers
AHP Directors
Scottish Attainment Challenge

Resources

Care Inspectorate (Scotland) The Care Inspectorate regulates and inspects care services in Scotland to make sure that they meet the right standards.
Heath Care Improvement Scotland Provides clinical standards, guidelines and advice based upon the best available evidence.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) SIGN develops evidence based clinical practice guidelines for the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland.

RCSLT Scotland team

Glenn Carter
Head of Scotland Office

Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland Glenn worked for in the public sector as a speech and language therapist for 23 years before joining RCSLT. More recently he led a children’s service in NHS Forth Valley where he worked with education to facilitate a whole systems change to reach the most vulnerable families in poverty. Glenn’s priorities in RCSLT are to raise awareness of the profession, increase supply of SLTs, protect funding, influence policy, support the wellbeing of our members and promote effective leadership.

Sasha Flint
PA to Head of Scotland Office

Prior to joining the RCSLT, Sasha worked in an administrative capacity for the NHS. Her main role is Glenn’s PA, but as part of a small team of three in Scotland, she is involved in many areas of our work, including member engagement. Sasha also provides Secretariat support for the Allied Health Professions Federation Scotland (AHPFS), organises events and assists the RCSLT enquiries team in London one day a week.

Tessa Duncan
Policy Adviser (Scotland)

Tessa is the policy adviser for the Scotland office. Her previous work includes private office and administrative roles in the health and social care departments in the UK Civil service and the Scottish Government. Tessa’s priorities in the Scotland office include building relationships and engaging with decision makers, leading on campaigns and influencing governmental policy.

Contact us

Follow @RCSLTpolicy and @RCSLTscot on Twitter for latest news and updates.
Email us: scotland@rcslt.org
Address: 91 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3ES

What is Hub Forum Scotland and what does it do?

Hub Forum Scotland (HFS) is the official RCSLT members’ forum in Scotland, uniting representatives from various geographical and clinical areas and levels of experience. Hub Forum Scotland are a group of SLT staff who represent the wider workforce.

Hub Forum Scotland:

Responds to information and view requests from the RCSLT Board of Trustees (and others) on behalf of over 1,100 RCSLT members in Scotland.
Channels ideas and queries from Scotland members to the Board of Trustees and Committees.
Develops and oversees an exciting annual programme of activities designed to support SLTs in Scotland.

Purpose of Hub Forum Scotland

For RCSLT to stay connected to members – to know what is happening on the ground and maintain relevance.
To be the Voice of the population of SLTs across Scotland – to hear from people across Scotland and guide RCSLT on what their priorities are.
Opportunity for RCSLT to learn about Scottish members workload, opportunities and challenges.
For RCSLT to share what is happening nationally with members.
Hub Forum Scotland is made up of staff from a range of bandings, clinical backgrounds and geographical areas to give a broad range of views and discussion.

Overview diagram

What is the role of a Hub Forum committee member?

To be open and transparent – in work and with RCSLT
To be an advocate for SLTs
To be informed and have influence.
Scope from other colleagues
To advertise your name in team/local authority so people are aware you are part of HFS.
Come as yourself (not representing a whole area) – own opinions
A two-way process between you and RCSLT.

How to become a committee member of Hub Forum Scotland

To become a member of Hub Forum Scotland, you must be a member of the RCSLT. New committee members are required to complete an application form. To obtain an application form, please email sasha.flint@rcslt.org.

Please seriously consider applying if you…

Are a member of RCSLT
Want RCSLT to get better!
Are motivated to be part of changing things for SLTs and their service users
Have relevant knowledge, skills and experience.
Have your manager’s permission, if appropriate, and can commit to attending 4 meetings a year (1 in person and 3 online)

What’s in it for you?

Gain insights into key issues and opportunities for SLTs in Scotland.
Access a free, expenses-paid CPD opportunity, especially regarding national policy, legislation, and influencing.
Represent RCSLT at the national level
Excellent networking opportunities
Influence the actions of RCSLT members and staff
Enhance your CV by serving on your professional body’s national committee
Prepare for future roles as a trustee or on national committees/working groups
Engage in interesting and fun activities, connecting with SLTs, national leaders, and others.
Learning from best practice across Scotland
Reasonable travel expenses paid by RCSLT

How long does the role of a HFS committee member last?

Members will join the RCSLT Hub Forum Scotland for a period of two years with a maximum of three terms.

For further information about Hub Forum Scotland, please contact sasha.flint@rcslt.org

What we do

News

Events and webinars