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Bilingual clients frequently feature on speech and language therapists' caseloads and yet they are rarely assessed and treated in their mother tongue. There are few assessments targeting languages other than English. Culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment and remediation materials should be devised for the differing needs of each distinct population. This paper describes the Pakistani Heritage Asian population in Rochdale and one of the first steps taken to address its needs: the development of an early expressive language assessment and remediation package for paediatric clients. Reference is made to the importance of identifying the exact languages spoken, especially when the use of one language may be perceived as denoting lower social status. Semantic and syntactic issues involved in constructing assessments are highlighted.

Background: The UK is a multicultural, multilingual society and the majority of paediatric speech and language therapists in England have at least one bilingual child on their caseload. There are many imperatives driving the profession to provide an equitable service for bilingual children. Evidence is beginning to emerge, however, that bilingual children with specific language impairment are not being identified and are, therefore, not accessing services. The situation facing clinicians in the UK is not unique: it is mirrored around the world. Aims: This paper reviews the literature relating to speech and language services for bilingual children and begins by providing an overview of the forces driving the need to provide equity of service. All aspects of the therapeutic process are then examined, from referral to therapy, in order to identify features that are regarded as best practice. Whilst the focus is on delivery of services in the UK, research findings from around the world are considered. Main contribution: Certain themes emerged during the review and their implications are discussed. In particular, the need for assessment tools, training and research is highlighted. Conclusions: Features indicative of best practice are highlighted and tentative suggestions made that would enable services to address the challenges of serving bilingual paediatric caseloads.

This paper describes the development of a phonological assessment procedure for children speaking Mirpuri, Punjabi or Urdu in combination with English. The Rochdale Assessment of Mirpuri Phonology (RAMP) was produced in response to the practical difficulties of a monolingual therapist wishing to assess a child's phonological systems across all languages used. The assessment is currently being used both as a clinical tool within the Rochdale Healthcare NHS Trust Speech and Language Therapy Department and as a research tool in collaboration with the Department of Speech, University of Newcastle to provide further data on patterns of bilingual phonological acquisition. Outcomes include therapy targeted more accurately at deficits within each phonological system.