Laura Hartley​

Laura Hartley is the Clinical Lead for training, supervision and staff CPD at SpeechWise. She was inspired to become a Speech and Language Therapist after witnessing the positive impact of SALT support on her younger sister with Down syndrome. Laura is passionate about building trusting relationships with families and professionals, and finds great fulfillment in advocating for those with speech, language, and communication needs. She is committed to neurodiversity-affirming practice, recognising and celebrating the unique strengths and perspectives of neurodiverse individuals. Outside of work, Laura enjoys exploring the outdoors with her young family and has found a new found love for watercolor painting (even more mindful with a glass of wine in hand!)

Laura qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 2011, earning her BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Speech Pathology from Manchester Metropolitan University. She gained valuable experience working in the NHS for six years before joining SpeechWise in 2018. Throughout her career, Laura has continuously expanded her knowledge and skills to provide the best possible support to her clients and colleagues.

In her role at SpeechWise, Laura balances clinical responsibilities with leadership duties. She has extensive experience working with a range of Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), including Developmental Language Disorder, Selective Mutism, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and various speech disorders. She works closely with mainstream and specialist primary and secondary schools, as well as supporting families in addressing their children’s communication needs at home as well as their educational settings. Laura would describe herself as a generalist, who enjoys working across all areas of speech and language therapy. 

Her clinical lead role involves overseeing supervision within the team, which is crucial for maintaining high standards of practice and fostering professional growth. Additionally, Laura helps develop and manage SpeechWise’s training hub, which includes on-demand videos alongside our live training sessions we offer. These resources empower schools and organisations to better support individuals with communication challenges, providing them with accessible and evidence-based strategies to enhance their practice.

Laura’s top tip for supporting communication is: “Follow your child’s lead and focus on their interests during communication. Comment on what they’re doing rather than asking lots of questions. Remember the power of observing, waiting, and listening. This encourages natural language development and keeps your child engaged in meaningful interactions.”

Laura is registered with the HCPC and RCSLT and holds an Enhanced DBS check.