Independent Speech and Language Therapy for children in North Devon

Hazel Ireland is a Speech and Language Therapist with 17 years of experience working both in the NHS and in private practice. Hazel provides high quality treatment for children of all ages with all types of speech and language difficulties.

Hazel is committed to making positive changes for children, and works together with parents, carers and school staff to reach every child’s potential. Hazel works throughout North Devon, in schools and nurseries and provides a range of flexible services to suit your particular needs.

Call Hazel today on 07747865763 to discuss your child’s needs

About Me

In 2002 I qualified from the University of Sheffield with an honours degree in Speech Sciences. After graduating, I worked for the NHS in Southwark, South London, working with a caseload of pre-school and school-aged children with a range of speech and language needs. I then moved to Surrey where I worked in a nursery unit for children with special needs including autism, in a secondary school for students with learning difficulties and communication needs, and in mainstream primary schools.

I have been in North Devon for the last 12 years, initially working for the local NHS team in schools for children with special needs. I then had some time off to have two children of my own and I now work as an independent Speech and Language Therapist, covering all of North Devon. Becoming a parent myself has given me an invaluable insight into  working with young children and in relating to the joys (and of course the demands and pressures!) of being a parent.

Over the past 12 years I have built successful and enjoyable relationships with many local children and parents, and have worked together with families to improve their child’s communication skills. I have been able to provide assessments and therapy for many children whose parents have wanted immediate support and reassurance concerning their child’s communication skills.

I have also worked in a number of primary, secondary, special schools and nurseries in North Devon, working with individual children in their own learning environments, and empowering teachers and teaching assistants to support children in the classroom. I have also been available to provide input to children who have identified special needs, such as providing assessment and reports for EHCPs, and providing information for and attending annual review meetings.

Over my career, I have had varied and extensive experience working with children between 2 and 16 with all kinds of speech and language impairments such as:

• Speech production difficulties (including dyspraxia)
• Expressive and receptive language difficulties and disorders
• Autistic Spectrum disorders and Asperger’s Syndrome
• Learning difficulties
• Stammering/stuttering (including the Lidcombe Programme of Early Stuttering Intervention)

I am a registered member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Health Professions Council and the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP). I have an up to date DBS check. (formally CRB)