5 Best Free CPD Websites for Speech and Language Therapists in the UK

Continuing professional development (CPD) is an important part of a speech and language therapist’s professional journey. Whether you work in the NHS, private practice, schools, community services or specialist clinics, keeping your knowledge up to date helps you reflect on your practice, explore evidence-informed approaches and respond to the changing needs of the people you support.

However, professional training can be expensive, and busy clinical schedules do not always leave much time for attending courses in person.

The good news is that several reputable organisations provide free online learning, clinical resources and recorded educational sessions for speech and language therapists (SLTs) in the UK.

We have selected five websites worth bookmarking, covering clinical practice, communication difficulties, swallowing, multilingual language development and paediatric speech and language support.

1. RCSLT CPD: Specialist learning for speech and language therapists

Website: RCSLT CPD

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK. Its dedicated CPD platform is one of the most relevant starting points for therapists looking for profession-specific learning.

The platform contains resources designed to support clinical skills, professional development and understanding of communication and swallowing needs. Some courses are available to everyone, while others are reserved for RCSLT members. Non-members can register for a free guest account to access some e-learning resources.

What can you learn?

• Clinical decision-making: Explore a step-by-step approach to assessment, intervention selection and evaluation.

• Communication difficulties: Access learning about speech, language and communication needs, including resources for people working in the justice system.

• Children and young people: Explore resources such as Mind Your Words, which focuses on the relationship between speech, language and communication needs and social, emotional and mental health.

• Inclusive communication: Discover resources such as DotDeaf, which introduces language therapy in British Sign Language.

The platform also provides member-only learning on areas such as evidence-based practice, formal assessments, reflective writing, leadership and working with bilingual children.

Best for: SLTs seeking profession-specific resources, clinical development and structured learning relevant to everyday practice.

Cost: Free access to selected resources; some courses require RCSLT membership.

Explore: Browse RCSLT CPD courses

2. NHS England e-Learning for Healthcare: Broader healthcare knowledge

Website: NHS England e-Learning for Healthcare

Speech and language therapists often work alongside nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, teachers and other healthcare professionals. Developing an understanding of wider health and care topics can therefore complement specialist SLT training.

NHS England's e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) programme provides online education developed in partnership with the NHS, professional bodies and third-sector organisations. Its programmes are available free to healthcare and care professionals, although access arrangements can vary by programme.

One particularly relevant example is the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. Its e-learning component covers learning disability, autism, communication and reasonable adjustments.

What can you learn?

• Communication and reasonable adjustments when supporting autistic people and people with learning disabilities.

• Broader health and care knowledge relevant to multidisciplinary practice.

• Topics connected to person-centred care and the needs of people accessing health and social care services.

SLTs should check the programme details before starting, particularly where training forms part of an employer's mandatory training pathway. For example, completing the Oliver McGowan e-learning component alone does not complete the full mandatory training pathway.

Best for: NHS and other health and care professionals who want to strengthen their understanding of wider clinical, communication and accessibility needs.

Cost: Free for eligible health and care professionals.

Explore: Visit the e-LfH learning hub

3. Parkinson's UK: Free learning on communication and swallowing

Website: Parkinson's UK professional learning

For SLTs working in adult services, neurology, rehabilitation, community healthcare or dysphagia management, Parkinson's UK provides a useful collection of free online learning opportunities.

Its professional learning platform includes short introductory resources as well as longer self-directed courses. The content focuses on understanding Parkinson's and its effects on communication, swallowing, movement, cognition and everyday life.

A particularly useful resource is the Promoting Safer Swallowing course. Developed with input from healthcare professionals, including speech and language therapists, it introduces swallowing difficulties associated with Parkinson's and explores practical ways to promote safer eating and drinking.

What can you learn?

• Recognising communication symptoms associated with Parkinson's.

• Understanding the condition and its motor and non-motor symptoms.

• Identifying signs of dysphagia and potential warning signs.

• Exploring person-centred approaches to supporting communication and safer swallowing.

The Promoting Safer Swallowing course is free, takes approximately 30 minutes plus reflection time, and requires a learner account. The wider website also offers a 15-minute Speech and Language Therapy: Parkinson's Essentials taster resource.

Best for: SLTs supporting adults with Parkinson's, neurological conditions, communication changes and swallowing difficulties.

Cost: Free online learning.

Explore: Browse Parkinson's UK online courses

4. FutureLearn and the University of Reading: Understanding multilingual children's language development

Website: FutureLearn course: Understanding Multilingual Children's Language Development

Working with multilingual children requires an understanding of language development, linguistic diversity, cultural identity and the role of home languages. This is especially important in the UK's diverse communities, where children may use several languages across home, school and clinical settings.

Developed by the University of Reading, Understanding Multilingual Children's Language Development is a three-week online course designed for speech and language therapists, teachers and parents.

The course explores multilingualism, language acquisition and practical ways to support children who grow up speaking more than one language. It also encourages learners to reflect on how research can inform their work with children and families.

What can you learn?

• The relationship between multilingualism and children's identities.

• How multilingual children develop their understanding and use of language.

• The importance of language input and heritage languages.

• Approaches to supporting multilingual children in educational and clinical settings.

• Ways to apply learning through reflection and practical activities.

The course is endorsed by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and NALDIC, the National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum.

An important note about free access: FutureLearn currently offers a limited-access free option for three weeks. A certificate is not included in that free option, and unrestricted learning or certificate access may require payment.

Best for: Paediatric SLTs working with multilingual children, children learning English as an additional language, and families from linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Cost: Free limited-access option; paid upgrades are available.

Explore: Start the multilingual children's language development course

5. Speech and Language UK: Free learning resources for children's communication

Website: Speech and Language UK training courses

Speech and Language UK is a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. Although its learning resources are particularly relevant to education and early intervention, they can also be useful for SLTs who work with children, families, schools and early years services.

One accessible starting point is its free online course, An Introduction to Speech, Language and Communication. The course introduces typical development, the importance of communication for children's learning and wellbeing, and ways to recognise speech and language challenges.

It includes four modules, with practical activities to help learners apply their knowledge in the workplace. Most modules take approximately one hour, although one is longer.

What can you learn?

• Typical speech, language and communication development.

• Why communication skills matter for learning and wellbeing.

• Universal strategies to support children's communication across educational settings.

• How speech and language challenges can affect participation and learning.

• Practical ways to apply communication-support strategies in everyday settings.

The organisation also lists additional training opportunities, including free training through its Early Years SEND partnership. Other courses and training packages may involve fees, so check the individual course details before enrolling.

Best for: Paediatric SLTs, newly qualified therapists, therapists working with schools and early years teams, and professionals interested in early identification and inclusive communication support.

Cost: Free introductory course; costs vary across other training offers.

Explore: Access Speech and Language UK's training courses

How to make the most of free CPD opportunities

Free courses are a useful starting point for professional learning, but completing a course is only one part of developing your practice. To get the most out of each learning opportunity, consider the following steps.

1. Choose learning that is relevant to your role.

Identify areas in which you would like to develop, such as paediatric language assessment, multilingualism, dysphagia, neurorehabilitation, inclusive communication or evidence-based practice.

2. Record what you learn.

Keep a record of the course title, provider, date, learning objectives and time spent. Save any available certificates, completion records, notes or supporting materials.

3. Reflect on your practice.

Consider what you have learned, how it relates to your clinical work and whether it could change the way you assess, plan or deliver interventions.

4. Apply learning appropriately.

Discuss relevant learning with your supervisor or colleagues and consider how new knowledge could improve person-centred care. Always work within your competence and follow relevant clinical guidance and local policies.

5. Check CPD requirements.

A free online course does not automatically provide accredited CPD hours or a certificate. Check the course information and your employer's requirements, and follow the Health and Care Professions Council's expectations for maintaining and evidencing continuing professional development.

Final thoughts

Finding useful CPD does not always mean spending money on expensive training courses. The five websites above offer a range of learning opportunities for UK speech and language therapists, from specialist resources on clinical decision-making and communication needs to practical learning on swallowing, multilingual development and paediatric communication.

For profession-specific learning, begin with the RCSLT CPD platform. For broader health and care topics, explore NHS England's e-LfH hub. If you work in adult neurological services, Parkinson's UK's free learning is particularly useful. Paediatric practitioners may benefit from the University of Reading's multilingualism course and Speech and Language UK's introductory training.

The most valuable CPD is learning that you can reflect on, apply appropriately and use to strengthen your professional practice.

Building your independent speech and language therapy practice

Professional development helps you maintain and expand your clinical knowledge. However, if you are planning to work independently, you may also need practical systems for managing appointments, client records, payments and day-to-day administration.

Therapyway is designed to connect qualified, HCPC-registered speech and language therapists with individuals and families seeking private therapy services across the UK.

Through Therapyway, therapists can create a professional profile, showcase their services, manage their availability and connect with potential clients while maintaining their clinical autonomy.

There are no upfront charges or monthly subscription fees. Therapyway charges a 10% platform fee when a client books and pays for a session.

Whether you are exploring private practice alongside your current role or planning to develop an independent service, the right tools can help you spend less time on administration and more time focusing on meaningful client outcomes.

Ready to take the next step?

Join Therapyway as a Independent Therapist

Disclaimer: Course availability, access conditions and certificate arrangements may change. Check the provider's current information before enrolling or recording a course as formal CPD.