A £116,530 contract to deliver speech and language therapy for youngsters in Warrington has been renewed.

Warrington Borough Council pays Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to deliver the services at schools in the town.

Following the decision to renew the arrangement, the new 12-month contract will start on April 1.

The council says speech and language therapists work closely with school staff to provide advice and develop activities to ensure speech and language therapy is ‘part of everyday life’ in school.

A spokesman added: “We commission a speech and language therapy service to deliver programmes to meet the needs of all children and young people who require speech, language and communication support identified in their education health and care plans.

“This includes children in mainstream schools, designated provisions and special schools across the borough.

“Regular reviews are undertaken and training is provided for school staff, particularly teaching assistants, to support the delivery of speech and language programmes.

“The commissioned service also includes the provision of a designated speech and language therapy assistant to support the delivery of programmes at Fox Wood and Green Lane schools.”