Refer to the MPC

Funding for assessments

Assessments for children living in the UK are charitably funded, generously supported by the Stuttering Foundation

UK parents may choose to pay privately for an assessment. Parents of children who live outside the UK are required to pay privately.

Assessments for adults living in Camden and Islington are NHS funded. Adults living elsewhere are required to pay privately.

Funding for therapy

Funding for individual therapy at MPC for children is sought from the local NHS service or paid for privately.

Charitable funding is available for group therapy for UK based children and teenagers. Children from overseas are required to pay privately.

Adults living in Camden and Islington receive NHS-funded therapy. All other adult therapy requires private funding.

CAN PARENTS, TEENAGERS OR ADULTS REFER DIRECTLY TO MPC? – yes in the following cases

Children, teenagers and adults of any age who live or go to school in Camden or Islington and children aged 7 to 18 years who live or go to school in Newham.

Parents of these children can refer or adults can self-refer directly to the MPC and if the child or adult requires therapy it will take place at the MPC.  CLICK ON ANY ORANGE REFERRAL TAB BELOW.

Children aged 10-14 years and their parents applying for a place on the the one-year group therapy programme (starting 8^th to 12^th April  or 28 October to 1st November 2024)

Parents can refer directly to the MPC if they would like to explore the option of themselves and their child (aged 10 to 14;11 years old) attending the one-week 10-14s group in April or October 2024. If making this referral, please make sure that your child is expressing some interest in a group for children who stammer, and that both parents can attend (if you are a 2-parent family and you are together). The group runs Monday to Friday, 10am till 3.30pm daily and participants need to attend every day. There are four group follow up days throughout the following year. We are not able to accommodate interpreters in this group programme. Please note that we will try to book in an assessment in time for this to be considered; however we cannot guarantee a place.  CLICK ON ANY ORANGE REFERRAL TAB BELOW.

Teenagers applying for a place on the  15-18s one-year group therapy programme (starting 15^th to 26^th July 2024)

Young people (or their parents) can refer directly to the MPC if they would like to explore the option of attending the two-week group therapy programme for young people who stammer in July 2024. If making this referral, please make sure that you are free to attend these dates. The group runs Monday to Friday, 10am till 3.30pm daily and participants need to attend every day. There are four group follow up days throughout the following year. We are not able to accommodate interpreters in this group programme. Please note that we will try to book in an assessment in time for this to be considered; however we cannot guarantee a place. CLICK ON ANY ORANGE REFERRAL TAB BELOW.

Private (self-funded) assessment and therapy (includes non-UK residents)

Any family or adult can choose to have a private assessment and therapy. If you live outside the UK this is your only option.  CLICK ON ANY ORANGE REFERRAL TAB BELOW.

A child who has an NHS SLT who supports the referral

Your local NHS SLT may decide with you that a charitably-funded specialist assessment at the MPC might be helpful. They can make a referral for you, or you can make it yourself. We will invite your NHS SLT to an assessment with you where we will agree recommendations together. If transfer to the MPC for therapy is recommended, we can apply for funding for therapy to take place at the MPC with your NHS SLT’s agreement.  CLICK ON ANY ORANGE REFERRAL TAB BELOW.

A child who has an independent (private) SLT who supports the referral

Your independent SLT may decide with you that a charitably-funded specialist assessment at the MPC might be helpful. They can make a referral for you, or you can make it yourself. We will invite your independent SLT to an assessment with you where we will agree recommendations together that they can deliver. We are not able to apply for funding for therapy to take place at the MPC via your independent SLT. CLICK ON ANY ORANGE REFERRAL TAB BELOW.

If none of the above applies to you, we recommend that you try to refer your child to your local NHS Speech and Language Therapy service. Most children can access therapy from their local NHS speech and language therapy service, and this is the best place to start. Use a search engine and search for ‘NHS speech and language therapy services for children’ in your area. Contact them and ask how to refer your child to them. While you are waiting to be seen you might like to look at our parents’ page (link to top tips for parents) for some ways to support your child.

If there is no local service for stammering, talk to your GP about making a referral to the MPC for your child. 

If you are having trouble with getting some help for your child via your local service or GP, please call our helpline on 020 3316 8100. Please note when you make a referral, please check your emails (including your Junk folder) for emails from us.

Guidance for referring your child to the Michael Palin Centre