Independent practice pathways
A reflection on what independent practice placements can offer the next generation of speech and language therapists — written by a student SLT during her final clinical placement with the Talkabout team.
The supportive, team-focused environment at Talkabout has played a key role in building my confidence.
In a recent edition of RCSLT Bulletin, final-year SLT student Janice Ooi shared her experience of completing her final clinical placement with our team. Writing in the magazine's Perspectives column, Janice explored how independent settings can broaden a student's clinical horizons — exposing them to areas of practice that may sit outside traditional NHS placements, from telehealth and medico-legal work to support for people with complex neurological, mental health and acquired brain injury presentations.
She reflected on the value of working alongside experienced specialist therapists within a wider multidisciplinary team, and on what students can offer in return — enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and an active contribution to service development. At a time of recognised workforce pressure across the profession, her piece makes the case that widening access to independent placements has a real role to play in shaping confident, well-rounded future clinicians.