What we do
We provide an occupational therapy assessment. Following this we offer support via advice and information, through prescription of specialist equipment or by recommending home adaptations. This includes:
- prescription of equipment or home adaptation to enable personal care (such as bathing and toileting).
- postural support via specialist seating to enable access to tabletop activities including mealtimes, and play
- access to and within the home
- safe methods of transfer (moving and handling)
- advice on altering routines or practices to reduce the impact of a disability
- identifying methods to minimise risks where there is a lack of safety awareness or behaviour that challenges.
Our recommendations and prescriptions are based on the following principles:
- to maximise the opportunities for children and young people to maintain their independence in activities of daily living
- to enable children and young people to acquire and build daily living skills
- children and young people participate in the decision-making process linked to occupational therapy interventions
- provision or recommendations will be the least restrictive option available to ensure safety
If appropriate we schedule reviews of provision or recommendations. This is to ensure that any equipment or adaptation remains appropriate for the level of need and to reflect changes as a child or young person grows and develops.
Not all needs arising from a disability or medical condition require specialist occupational therapy intervention or it may be more appropriate for us to signpost you to another organisation or service. We support and encourage access to universal provision to support equality of access to services.
Who do we assess?
We will assess children and young people with a long-term disability or medical condition which affects their ability to manage in their home environment. This means that the condition is expected to last longer than six months. Our involvement can be for children and young people from 0 to 18 years of age.
Referrals for children with a physical disability are accepted from parents, carers and professionals.
Where an identified need is linked to autism, a behaviour that challenges or arising from a sensory processing disorder we require the referral to be made by a professional who has worked in the family home to address the specific need identified. This is because the children with disabilities occupational therapy team do not have a remit to provide therapeutic interventions and all options to alter behaviours of concern should be explored prior to our involvement.
Our remit is to support with activities within the home environment only. If you would like support for your child within an educational setting, please contact the setting directly.
Occupational therapists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council. It holds a register of all people eligible to practice which is a requirement for the occupational therapists in our team.
Discharge from hospital in most instances will be supported by LCHS occupational therapists, however where there is active involvement by a CWD OT it may be appropriate for us to lead on the provision of some items of equipment. This will follow discussion and agreement between CWD & LCHS occupational therapy.
Referrals to CWD OT are made through our Customer Services Centre (CSC) by ringing 01522 782111.
Links
Health Care Professional Council
What is occupational therapy?
The children with disabilities occupational therapy team support children, young people and their families where a need arises from a disability or medical condition which affects their ability to access day to day activities in their home environment.
We are based in Sleaford and work across the whole of Lincolnshire. The team consists of a team manager, practice supervisor, advanced practitioners, occupational therapists and community care officers.
We work alongside social workers including those within the children with disabilities team. We also liaise with those professionals directly supporting a child or young person including other occupational therapists, physiotherapists, health visitors and children’s community nurses.
Where an adaptation to a property is required we liaise with relevant teams in the seven district councils within Lincolnshire.
The aim of occupational therapy support is to:
- promote independence
- minimise the impact of a disability or medical condition
- support care provision in the home
- promote safety in the home environment