We are incredibly proud of the ISLTS history. Over the decades we have become a respected and well appointed Speech and Language Therapy practice, working in partnership with many organisations and individuals across East Anglia.
1995: Our Beginning
Our story began in 1995 when Cathy MacLennan and Liesl Massingham opened the doors to our first practice on Unthank Road in Norwich. At the time, we were one of the very first private speech and language therapy practices in Norfolk, pioneering a new path for independent, specialist services in the region.
1999: First Associates and College Partnerships
In 1999, Nikki Crossman joined us as our first associate. Around the same time, we began building long-term partnerships with colleges across Norfolk and Suffolk, including City College Norwich. What started as support for a single group of 20 students has now expanded to over 350 students annually.
2001: Steady Growth and Expansion into Schools
By 2001, we began working with both Suffolk County Council and Norfolk County Council. Over the next decade, we built strong, ongoing partnerships with many local schools, including:
- Town Close
- Taverham Hall now Langley Pre Prep, Prep and Senior
- Gresham’s
- Lessingham All Saints
- St Andrews
- Trinity Federation Schools
- Fakenham and Attleborough Academies
- Wherry School, Norwich
- University Technology College Norfolk
- St Augustine’s, Costessey
- Sheringham Woodfields
- Noah’s Ark Nursery
- Chapel Green School
- Clare School
- Parkside School
- Bridge School
- Harford Manor School
- John Grant School
- Kingsbrook School
- Paston & Easton College
- Ipswich primary schools
- Pakefield Primary School
- Red Oak Primary School
- Corton Primary School
- Grove Primary School
- Roman Hill Primary School
- Poplars Primary School
2007: Acquired Communication Services
We began providing services for adults with acquired communication difficulties, such as those recovering from a stroke, which remains a core part of our work.
Lead SLT Nick Booth joined as an associate.
2012: Website Launch and Lead SLT Lorna Bailey Joins
In 2012, Lorna Bailey joined the team as an associate. This was also around the time we launched our first professional website, further establishing our online presence.
2016: First Employee Hired
A significant milestone came in 2016 when we transitioned from a purely associate-based model to hiring our first employee, Becka Pitts. This marked a key shift in our ethos, offering greater security and stability to our growing team.
2018: New Ownership
In 2018, following Cathy’s retirement – Lorna Bailey, Liesl Massingham, and Nick Booth bought the practice. At this point, the team had grown to 8 members.
2019–2022: Specialist Services and Innovation
We continued to innovate and expand:
- 2019: Autism Assessment Service launched
- 2020: Voice Therapy Service launched
- 2021: Parkinson’s Service (initially LSVT, now “Speak Out”) launched
- 2021: Selective Mutism Service launched
- 2022: Dysphagia Service launched
2023–2025: Diversifying Services and Community Impact
- 2024: DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) Assessment Service launched
- 2025: Neurodiversity in the Workplace training service established
- 2026 (Planned): Psychology Clinic East Anglia to co-locate with us in shared premises
Our Partnerships
We currently work in partnership with:
- Norfolk County Council – through the Specialist Educational Services Framework, Family Support Assessment & Therapy Framework, and EPSS (Educational Psychology and Specialist Support)
- Suffolk County Council – supporting various primary schools since 2001
- City College Norwich including Paston and Easton Colleges – we now support over 400 students
- East Coast Colleges – established in 2021
- Help for Psychology and Woodlands Consulting – supporting joint autism assessments
- The Psychology Clinic East Anglia – supporting neurodevelopmental assessments since 2022
- EPSS (Educational Psychology and Specialist Support) – in 2021 we started providing speech and language therapy assessments in schools across Norfolk as part of the Norfolk County Council EPSS service.
- Norfolk County Council Dynamic Purchasing System – in 2024, we were successful in being accepted onto Norfolk County Council’s DPS for a variety of Speech & Language support work.
- Local Authority Education, Health, Care Plan (ECHP) – since 2005 we have been commissioned to implement Speech and Language Therapy specified in EHCP’s on behalf of the local authority.
Our Current Team
As of 2025, we are proud to have 24 dedicated staff members, including therapists, associates, and support staff – 16 of whom are directly employed, reflecting our commitment to secure, stable employment.
We have an ongoing partnership with clinical and chartered psychologists, who work as part of our team to deliver our services.
Since 2012, we have doubled the number of patients we have been able to help.
Looking Ahead
From a two-person startup in 1995 to a dynamic, multidisciplinary team today, our growth is rooted in values of professionalism, collaboration, and care.
Our mission has always been to offer high-quality, accessible services to people of all ages, supporting communication, swallowing, neurodiversity, and wellbeing.
