About Us
Blether Box is an independent Speech and Language Therapy practice offering specialist support for children and young people aged 4-18 years in Dumfries and the surrounding areas.
KNOW YOUR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST
Jan’s journey as a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) began back in 2004 when she left her native Northern Ireland to study in Edinburgh. She graduated from Queen Margaret University in 2008 as a qualified SLT.
In 2009 Jan began her career in the NHS, completing her Newly Qualified Practitioner year in Belfast. During this time she worked in a variety of settings for both children and adults with a wide range of speech, language and communication needs.
Jan then returned to Scotland in 2010 to take up permanent employment in the NHS. During her career there, Jan worked with children, young people and their families in community clinics, schools, nurseries and in their own homes. She developed a special interest in Speech Sound Disorders and Language Disorders (particularly DLD). Jan also enjoyed devising and delivering training to Education colleagues to help them support children with speech, language and communication needs in the classroom.
Jan is now a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and in 2026 decided the time was right to transition into Independent Practice. With many years of experience and her passion for helping children and young people, Jan is looking forward to helping yours unbox their full potential with speech, language and communication.
Jan says,
“I believe that every child has the fundamental right to be able to communicate their needs, wants and opinions as well as have an understanding of the world around them. It is important that they are given a fair chance to do this regardless of how they do it – by talking or any other means. Failing to support them to do so means we are limiting opportunities for connection with others, access to education and their potential for the best life outcomes.”
Jan is a registered member of :
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
The Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
The Association of Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)
Jan is fully PVG compliant.
WHAT CAN JAN HELP WITH?
- Articulation
- Cleft Palate (articulation)
- Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
- Dyspraxia/Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
- Language Disorder
- Phonology
- Prevention
- Sign Supported Communication (not BSL)
- Training for educational settings/schools
- For other communication related concerns, please discuss directly.
SERVICES
Everything starts with a blether! Blether Box offers a FREE, no obligation 20 min introductory consultation. During this time we will discuss your child’s individual needs and begin to make a plan for supporting them if appropriate. To start the process, just click the button to “Book a Blether”.
Are you looking for a full diagnostic assessment for your child? Perhaps you want to build a profile of your young person’s communication skills to help you better understand their strengths and needs. Maybe you would simply like a review of their skills. Blether Box can provide a range of assessment options.
Support can look different for every child. Blether Box offers bespoke intervention according to each individual’s needs. This could be direct therapy or teaching your young person support strategies and self-advocacy. Sessions are delivered in the comfort of your own home. Each session is child-led and based on their interests and needs in the moment.
Children and young people with severe speech sound disorders can access intensive therapy. Blether Box provides a range of packages to best suit your family’s needs. These can be discussed and agreed with Jan on a case-by-case basis following in-depth assessment.
TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS
Jan has experience of providing training for professionals. Jan can offer bespoke sessions based on the needs of individual settings in order to upskill staff in identifying, understanding and supporting the needs of children and young people. These can be delivered to an unlimited number of staff from that setting.
To explore your options, click the button to “Book a Blether” with Jan.
Find out more!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can you see my child if they are actively seeing an NHS SLT or on an NHS waiting list? Absolutely! It is considered best practice for independent and NHS SLTs to work together for the best outcomes for every child, therefore SLTs will liaise closely with one another. In order for this to happen, you must provide your explicit consent to both Blether Box and the NHS.
Where will you see my child? Jan will see your child in the comfort of your own home. If it is appropriate, it may be possible to see them at school. However, it should be noted Blether Box does not have any formal agreement in place with the Local Authority and this possibility will need to be explored on a case by case basis.
What does an assessment session involve? This depends on the nature of the assessment required. Assessment is carried out via a combination of formal standardised assessments, screening assessments and more informal means. The type of assessment required will also determine the amount of time necessary for completion. This can be discussed with Jan at your introductory consultation.
How many therapy sessions will my child need? This will vary according to your child’s needs. The therapy provided is bespoke for each individual based on the outcomes of assessment. Jan will be able to give you a clearer idea of what is required after this. Jan offers both PAYG or block booking options.
How long is a therapy session? Therapy sessions typically last 30-60 min, including time to discuss your child’s progress and next steps with you. Sessions are child-led so the exact duration is largely dependent on what we need to cover and how long your child is engaged with the given activities. The needs of the child are always put first.
What do you need from me during the session? It will be important for us to have a quiet, distraction free environment for us to work in at your home (easy right??) and during the session it will be very helpful to have you observing so that you can carry on support between sessions.