Refer to the MPC
Read about making a referral to the Michael Palin Centre and find the form you need.
Refer my child (UK resident)
Refer my child for a private assessment (non-UK resident)
Refer a child I am working with (SLTs)
Adult Self-referral form
Private Adults Self-referral
How to get help at the Michael Palin Centre for a child who stammers
Refer to the MPC - read about making a referral to the Michael Palin Centre and find the form you need.
Funding for assessments
Assessments for children living in the UK are charitably funded, generously supported by the Stuttering Foundation (hyperlinked)
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
1. 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 REFER TAB AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
2. Children aged 10-14 years and their parents applying for a place on the the one-year group therapy programme (starting 8th to 12th 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 REFERRAL TAB AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
3. Teenagers applying for a place on the 15-18s one-year group therapy programme (starting 15th to 26th 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 REFER TAB AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
4. 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 REFER TAB AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
5. 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 REFER TAB AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
6. 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 REFER TAB AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
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 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.
I am a parent (non-UK resident)
If you are not a UK resident you can refer your child for a private assessment at the MPC assessment clinic. This can be attended in person or by Teams or Zoom.
Please enquire for private assessment tariffs. Payment is required in advance.
There is an additional fee for professional interpreting services if these are required.
Please complete the form below:
I am a Speech and language therapist (UK)
You can refer a child or young person up to 18;11 years when:
- you want to confer about the work you are doing with a family and get advice from our specialist team.
- you feel the family you are working with would be helped by the holistic assessment at the MPC.
- you think that the family you are working with might be helped by therapy at the MPC and you have discussed this with your manager and a potential funding application for us will be supported.
Please complete the form below:
I am a GP
If there is no local speech and language therapy service then UK-resident families may ask you to refer directly to us for an assessment. Please send your referral, requesting an assessment for a child or young person up to 18;11 years of age to:
The Administrator
The Michael Palin Centre
13-15 Pine Street
London EC1R 0JG
This assessment for children and young people up to 18;11 years of age will be charitably-funded by the Stuttering Foundation.
Referrals for adults
I am an adult living in Camden or Islington
Your assessment will be funded under an agreement that we have with Camden and Islington Commissioners. You can refer yourself by completing the online referral form:
You can ask your GP to refer you if you do not wish to use the online form. Ask your GP to send the referral letter to:
The Administrator (Referrals)
The Michael Palin Centre
13-15 Pine Street
London EC1R 0JG
I am an adult living elsewhere in London or the UK
There is a fee of £640 for your assessment at the Centre.
- ask your GP whether they would be prepared to refer you to the Centre. The referral letter will need to state that they will pay for your assessment, OR
- refer yourself using the form below if you wish to pay for your assessment privately. We are not able to accept your referral unless we have a written agreement to fund your assessment, either by your GP or by yourself.
Please complete the below form:
Sometimes you just need someone to talk to
Sometimes you just need someone to talk to
Our Helpline, 020 3316 8100, is open during office hours (9am-5pm) and voicemail messages can be left when the office is closed.
“The MPC ACT course has had an immediate impact on my practice as an SLT working with young people with a stammer. All the practical activities meant that I was able to implement elements of this approach literally the next day with empowering results for my teenage clients. Its emphasis on acceptance makes it an important resource for all therapists and essential for those working with people who stammer.”
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