Kirsty Waterworth

Speech and Language Therapist

Kirsty Waterworth is an HCPC Registered Speech and Language Therapist who specialises in supporting neurodivergent children with communication difficulties. She also supports young people whose communication needs have been shaped by experiences of trauma and who present with social, emotional and mental health needs. Kirsty previously worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), supporting young autistic people experiencing mental health crisis. She worked holistically with the young people, health care settings, education providers and families to best meet a young person’s needs. Kirsty now works with a varied paediatric caseload to provide person-centred assessment, therapy, training and support, across all speech and language needs. She is passionate about supporting young people to reach their communication goals and to self-advocate. She loves working to promote well-being within families and to empower them to connect beyond differences; and with schools to create environments that enable all different kinds of effective communication.

Specialism

Child Assessment, Child Therapy

Locations Covered

Cornwall, Devon

As you may be aware, on the 14th April 2025 the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) announced changes to the Fair Access limit with a reduction of funding to £3000 and the discontinuation of the separate Fair Access Limit for specialist assessments.

We are currently working really hard to amend quotes for ongoing therapy work to fit within the new Fair Access Limit and working closely with Adopt South West and other local RAAs. We are also working closely with other specialist adoption support providers and therapeutic organisations including DDP connects and Theraplay UK to explore how we can continue to deliver specialist therapies within this limit.

If you are waiting for a new package of therapy please look out for correspondence from ASW or your regional adoption support agency, as they will need to regain your consent for the amended therapy contract.

If you are concerned about the impact of the delay on your family or have questions about the therapy or assessment you are waiting for please get in touch with Ellen or Jen and we will do our best to support you.

We will be contributing to a wider response to this and the following is a link to a petition requesting government action – Petition · Action Against ASGSF Changes (Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund) – United Kingdom · Change.org