Petals Therapy

29/07/2025

Hinckley's Salvation Army Donation Centre Hinckley has lots of local school uniforms available for free to help with the return to school costs. Pop down to see what they have 😊

16/07/2025

🌞Hello Summer! 🌞

It’s been a fantastic academic year, and we’ve been lucky enough to welcome and work with fantastic schools and families. We can’t wait to continue supporting you all in the Autumn Term!

Over the summer, all of the Petals Therapists will be working reduced hours to allow for some much-needed rest and relaxation with our families and friends. While we’re still working, responses to enquiries may take a little longer as we flex our time to maintain a healthy work–life balance.

Whether you're taking time off, working through, staying local or travelling far — have a brilliant summer! Look after yourselves and enjoy the chance to recharge. The Autumn Term will be here before we know it!

💜🩷🩵🧡

15/07/2025

✨ Summer Activity Pages✨

We had such lovely feedback on our activity pages last year that we thought they were well worth sharing again as we head into the summer holidays!

☀️ They’re perfect for filling a few quiet minutes — whether you’re in the car, on a train or plane, relaxing in the park, or just chilling at home.

🧩 A mix of scavenger hunts, word searches and mazes.

📲 Simply screenshot the ones you want to use. Ideal for on-the-go fun!

Feel free to share with friends and family too, the more the merrier! 🧡🩵🩷💜

03/07/2025

Communication Toolkit Tip

🎶 Songs and rhymes are powerful tools for developing early language 🧠💬
They’re fun, predictable, and full of repetition helping children learn new words, sounds, and sentence structures naturally.

🎵 Singing slows language down, making it easier to process and join in.
👏 Don’t worry about being pitch perfect — your voice is your child’s favourite sound!
🕺Incorporating actions songs helps to teach verbs and nouns
🎙Singing from birth has a great evidence base for developing language and communication skills!

26/06/2025

📣 Positive Feedback Update – Justice for Families!

Yesterday we received a message from a parent whose story many of you may remember – she’d reached out after the independent OT report Hayley completed for her son was rejected outright by the Local Authority… simply because it was written by a ‘private therapist’.

As many of you will know (and some of you saw in our previous rant post), this is completely unlawful and goes against the SEND Code of Practice. Families have the right to submit independent assessments, and these must be considered as part of the EHCP process.

Hayley wrote a supporting letter for the family to take to the LA, outlining exactly why their refusal breached statutory guidance and legal duties.

💥 Fast forward to this week… after a mediation meeting, the Local Authority have now accepted the full report and all provision recommendations!

It’s a brilliant outcome and a real win for the family — but what a shame they had to fight so hard for something that should be standard practice.

Let this be a reminder: independent reports DO count, and families shouldn’t be dismissed just because they seek expert help outside of local services.

💪 We will always advocate fiercely for children to get the support they need and deserve.

25/06/2025

📢 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐩

🍎 Use choices to support communication! 🍌
Instead of asking open-ended questions like “What do you want?”, try giving two options.
🧑 “Do you want apple or banana?”
This supports word learning and helps reduce frustration. This is especially helpful for early communicators or those who find verbal expression tricky.

24/06/2025

🗣️📣 "If you can't say 'I'm sad' or 'I'm angry', how can you be expected to manage those feelings?"

A powerful article from the BBC highlights just how closely speech, language and communication needs are linked to young people’s mental health.

👉 Nearly half of children referred to mental health services are also facing serious speech and language challenges.
👉 Without the words to express emotions or understand what’s being said to them, children can feel isolated, misunderstood, and overwhelmed.
👉 Conditions like Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) can last a lifetime – but the right support can make all the difference.

We see every day how supporting a child’s communication skills can unlock confidence, reduce anxiety, and build resilience. Early intervention matters. So does making sure mental health support is communication-accessible.

🧠💬 Let's keep pushing for joined-up care that sees the whole child – their communication needs and their emotional wellbeing.

📖 Read the full article here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9w15jrj5xxo

Speech and Language UK says some children can struggle to categorise and communicate how they feel.

20/06/2025

📣 There’s still time to apply!
We’re on the lookout for a Children’s Speech & Language Therapist to join our small and passionate team here at Petals Therapy 💬🌿

✨ We’re committed to supporting our therapists with:

🟪A strong focus on CPD and upskilling

🟦Relaxed, flexible working during school holidays

🟧Private healthcare cover

🟥A genuine voice in shaping our growing service

If you're looking for a role where you’re truly valued and supported, we’d love to hear from you! 💌

📧 Drop us an email at hayley@petalstherapy.co.uk for more info.

📢 𝕎𝕖'𝕣𝕖 ℍ𝕚𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘! 📢

💬 Are you a passionate Children’s Speech & Language Therapist ready to make a difference?

Petals Therapy is expanding, and we’re looking for a dedicated therapist to join our friendly, supportive team! This is a brilliant opportunity to work across schools and homes!

🔗 Explore the full role and apply via Total Jobs ➡️ https://www.totaljobs.com/job/speech-language-therapist-paediatrics/petals-therapy-job105074105

📍 Flexible working across the East Midlands (current schools based on Hinckley, Burbage & Rugby)

📧 To apply, send your CV and covering letter to hayley@petalstherapy.co.uk

🌐 Find out more about us: www.petalstherapy.co.uk

💡 Be part of a growing, values-led service where your voice matters.

17/06/2025

📢 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐩

🗣 Build on what the child says!
When a child says a word, respond by gently expanding it.
👧 “Car" ➡️ 🧑 “Yes, red car!”
👧 “Dog” ➡️ 🧑 “Yes, big dog!”
This models longer sentences and introduces new vocabulary in a natural, pressure-free way.

Let’s nurture language through everyday moments 🌟

15/06/2025

🌟 Happy Father’s Day 🌟

Today, we’re thinking of all kinds of dads and all those who take on a fatherly role 💙

Whether you’re celebrating, remembering, longing, or navigating complicated emotions today, you are seen, and you matter.

With love from all of us at Petals Therapy 💐

13/06/2025

Back for Day 2 and loving every minute! 🧠✨

Today we’re diving deeper into how Polyvagal Theory and Sensory Integration come together to shape our therapeutic approaches. This brilliant visual from the training shows how internal and external sensations are constantly interacting. Influencing arousal, emotion, perception, and ultimately, the felt experience.

Understanding this interplay is vital in trauma-informed practice. It’s not just about what the body senses, it’s how the nervous system makes meaning of it.

Feeling inspired by the work of Tracy Murnan Stackhouse and Kelsey Forbringer!