How Much Does Speech Therapy Cost in the UK? (2026 Prices)
NHS speech and language therapy is free but often comes with a long wait. Private sessions in the UK typically cost about £65–£105 for 45–60 minutes (from around £47.50 online), and a full private assessment with a written report is around £220. SpeechStep adds affordable daily practice at home — plus a free Welcome Session.
Talk to a SpeechStep Coach — free
Book a free Welcome Session with a SpeechStep Coach — practical guidance and a home-practice plan, at no cost.
Private speech therapy prices in the UK
Private fees are set by each clinic, so treat these as indicative rather than a fixed national rate. Online and regional therapists tend to be cheaper; London and specialist clinics sit higher.
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Online session (shorter) | from ~£47.50 |
| Session (45–60 min) | ~£65–£105 |
| London / specialist session | ~£77.50–£105 |
| Full assessment + written report | ~£220 |
Indicative UK private speech therapy costs (2024–2026). Source: Mable Therapy price list and market examples.1
Ask about blocks
Many clinics discount prepaid blocks of sessions, and some deduct a short screening fee from the cost of a full assessment. Always confirm what a quoted price includes.
The free NHS option — and its catch
NHS speech and language therapy costs nothing, which makes it the first choice for most families. The catch is the wait: the government reported over 40,000 children waiting more than 12 weeks as of June 2024, and local waits can be far longer.2
That’s the real cost trade-off in the UK — money versus time. Many families combine the two: join the NHS list, and use low-cost home practice (or a few private sessions) to make progress in the meantime. See our NHS vs private comparison for how to decide.
Where SpeechStep fits on cost
SpeechStep is the affordable way to add daily practice — whether you’re waiting for the NHS or topping up private sessions. Instead of paying per session for every bit of practice, your child practises at home every day.
SpeechStep comes in two parts. The app is your child’s daily practice — a one-time price, not a monthly bill: SpeechStep Practice (1,000+ words, daily practice) is about £24 and SpeechStep AI (instant AI feedback on every sound, progress tracking, parent dashboard) is about £49 on the App Store or Google Play. The exact local price is confirmed at checkout. You can also book a free Welcome Session with a SpeechStep Coach today and continue with affordable ongoing 1:1 coaching (available now, arranged after your Welcome Session); local licensed therapists in your own country are coming soon in most markets, and already available in India.
Not sure what’s worth paying for?
Book a free Welcome Session. A SpeechStep Coach will help you weigh NHS, private and home options for your child — no cost, no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How much is private speech therapy per session in the UK?＋
Typically about £65–£105 for a 45–60 minute session, with online sessions from around £47.50. London clinics tend to sit at the higher end.
How much does a private speech and language assessment cost?＋
A full private assessment, including a session and a written report, is commonly around £220. Some clinics offer a shorter paid screening first.
Is NHS speech therapy free?＋
Yes — NHS speech and language therapy is free at the point of use. The trade-off is availability: waits are often long and vary by area, which is why many families use private therapy or home practice to start sooner.
Can SpeechStep help my child from home?＋
Yes. SpeechStep is designed for daily home practice — your child practises target sounds with instant feedback, and you get simple guidance on what to focus on. You can also book a free online Welcome Session with a SpeechStep Coach to plan the right next steps.
Is the Welcome Session a diagnosis or therapy?＋
No. It is free parent guidance and coaching — a SpeechStep Coach helps you understand your child’s speech and gives you a practical home plan. It is not a formal diagnosis and does not replace a licensed speech-language pathologist where one is needed.
What if we’re already waiting for or seeing a therapist?＋
That’s exactly where SpeechStep fits. If you’re on a waiting list, daily practice keeps your child progressing until the appointment. If you already see a therapist, SpeechStep is the practice in between the sessions, where most of the real progress happens — many therapists recommend daily home practice for exactly this reason.
How much does SpeechStep cost?＋
The app is free to start, and unlocking more is a one-time launch price — not a monthly subscription. SpeechStep Practice adds 1,000+ practice words and daily practice; SpeechStep AI adds instant AI feedback on every sound, progress tracking, and a parent dashboard. You’ll see your exact local price at checkout. The initial Welcome Session is free, and affordable ongoing 1:1 coaching with our speech professionals is available now (arranged after your Welcome Session); local licensed therapists in your own country are coming soon in most markets (already available in India).
Can I work with a real speech professional too?＋
Yes. Start with a free Welcome Session with one of our SpeechStep Coaches — that’s available today. For ongoing 1:1 help you have two options: (1) the SpeechStep Network — affordable, English-speaking speech coaching at one simple price, available now and arranged with you after your Welcome Session; and (2) local licensed therapists in your own country for local clinical care, available in India today and coming soon in most other markets. Book the free Welcome Session and we’ll match you to what fits. Your app practice and progress travel with you either way.
Talk to a SpeechStep Coach — free
Book your free Welcome Session. Your coach reviews your child’s practice and gives you guidance and a simple home plan — no diagnosis, no pressure.
References
3 sources from authoritative bodies. Last reviewed July 2026.
- 1.Mable TherapySpeech Therapy Pricing — price list.
- 2.GOV.UKEarlier support for speech and language for 20,000 children — government press release, 2025.
- 3.ASLTIPFind a speech and language therapist — therapist directory.
Keep reading
NHS vs private speech therapy
Waits, routes, and when paying makes sense.
Read →Speech therapy for children in the UK
How it works and how SpeechStep helps.
Read →SpeechStep for UK families
Daily practice while you wait.
Read →Speech delay in children
Signs, causes, and when a delay is worth acting on.
Read →Speech milestones by age
What most children can say and do from ages 1–6.
Read →Speech therapy at home
How to practise speech with your child, day to day.
Read →