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Children with complex needs

Occupational therapy for children with complex or multiple needs can lead to improvements in independence, communication, quality of life and safety.

Our OTs ensure that the recommendations we make are practical and achievable for each family. Whether we are looking at splinting, environmental controls, comfy seating, adapted vehicles, housing or moving & handling, our team aim to promote independence in all areas of daily life.

How OT's help

Children and families with complex needs are rarely strangers to the world of assessments and advice. We aim to work alongside existing support services to ensure a holistic and rounded approach for the family. Whether a child is refered to us through a case manager, LEA, school, or a parent directly, our service is uniquely tailored to the needs of each family.

Some of the most common areas in which we assist children with complex needs include:

  • Night-time positioning, comfy chairs and wheelchairs
  • Splinting
  • Sensory programmes
  • Moving & handling
  • Bathing equipment
  • Adapted vehicles
  • Housing adaptations and reviews

Our assessment process allows for a specialist occupational therapist to identify where a child's difficulties lie as well as the reasons for them. Once identified, we can work with you to put in place a plan to address them.

Our packages of care

We are flexible around the needs of each child and family, and have a variety of treatment packages to ensure we provide the right solution for you. All of our interventions are oriented towards ensuring that the child experiences measurable improvements.

  • Our assessment package is a stand-alone service that allows us to identify all the areas we can assist with
  • Our subsequent report will explain these in detail and provide a clear costing for each recommendation
  • At this stage, some case managers or families will already be able to move forward independently
  • Where a child is moving from another practice and their last OT report was completed within the previous 6 months, a shorter review normally allows us to build on previous interventions
  • We also arrange quotations for home adaptations such as bathroom, sensory room or access adjustments
  • Recommended equipment such as chairs, environmental controls or hoists can be given the necessary trials, as well as quotations for your approval
  • We normally provide treatment in blocks of eight sessions to deliver sensory programmes or to work on other identified areas

How we help

Our assessments can examine all areas of a child's daily life, or focus on a specific area of concern.

Some of the most common areas we would expect to address include:

  • The current home environment and its suitability for their current and future needs
  • Moving & handling concerns of carers and family, such as how the child can best be helped to move between their bed, shower or wheelchair
  • Postural positioning during the day and at night
  • Access to hobbies and social activities
  • Sensory needs and communication
  • The needs and goals of the child, their family and carers

Case managers, LEA's or Solicitors

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

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Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance for parents and professionals of knowing that their child or client are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated paediatric team will then remain in charge of your case through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit at a time convenient for you, with no clinics or waiting lists, offering after-school and weekend appointments where necessary
  • We devise home and school-based treatment plans to ensure that our assessment and advice is relevant to each child’s unique environment
  • Our nationwide network of registered children’s occupational therapists allows us to find a therapist local to you that best suits the needs of the child
  • Intensive treatment available in the school holidays
  • We believe our role is to equip you and your child to become as autonomous as possible – ultimately independent of, and not dependent upon, the help we provide

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Case managers

Providing OT to families & children with complex or multiple needs to achieve optimum independence.

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Local education authorities

Occupational therapy provision at home or school as recommended in an EHCP or Statement on behalf of LEA's.

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Schools

Delivering individual or group therapy for children, or advice and training to up-skill members of staff.

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Charities

Working with charities to provide reports and recommendations for grant funding applications.

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Solicitors

We provide solicitors with professional reports for educational tribunals or rehabilitation needs.

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Healthcare concierge

Assessment and treatment services for clients in their own homes both in the UK and internationally.

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Next steps

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our paediatric client management team, who will be able to understand what your child's difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange an assessment visit at home or school, a mixture of formal and observational methods - as well as conversation with yourself, your child and their school - after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations, together with practical advice on how to help your child. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

Emily

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Emily is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with a specialization in pediatrics, she works in the West and Southwest of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Janet

London - South, Kent

Janet is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in paediatrics and neurological rehabilitation, she works with children at home and school.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent, London - Central, London - South, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Camila

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Having qualified as an OT in 2012, Camila, dedicated and passionate, specializes in pediatrics, and works in Cornwall.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, School Based Therapy/Support, Splinting, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability

Mairead

Belfast, Down

Occupational Therapist Mairead, specializing in pediatrics and neurological rehabilitation, brings over a decade of expertise since qualifying in 2009.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH, CBT, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, Splinting, Sign Language, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Julie

London - West, Berkshire

Julie, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in functional rehabilitation, neurology, complex paediatrics, and handwriting assessments.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Berkshire, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment

Amanda

Hampshire, South of England

Based in Hampshire, Amanda is an experienced Paediatric OT helping children and their families with a wide range of needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Sally-Ann

Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

OT Sally-Ann specialises in paediatrics and sensory integration, and has a wealth of experience.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Hannah

Hampshire, South of England

Specialising in Paediatrics, Hannah is an experienced OT located in Basingstoke.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills

Louise

Bradford, West Yorkshire

Occupational Therapist Louise specializes in pediatrics, sensory integration, and Chailey postural management. She is fluent in Cantonese.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Wakefield, Salford

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Chailey Postural Management

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Dani-Lee

London - West, Surrey

Dani-Lee is an experienced sensory integration paediatric occupational therapist.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Surrey, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Sensory integration

Kathy

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Based in Northern Ireland, highly skilled occupational therapist Kathy specialises in paediatrics where she helps children with various conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Rachel

Shropshire, West Midlands

Rachel, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in paediatrics and sensory integration, and has expertise in providing school-based therapy.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Wales

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Postgraduate cert. Vocational Rehab

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Behaviour management, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Sue

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

As an OT with nearly 40 years of experience, Sue is an expert in paediatrics; vocational and functional rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Wales, Avon, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Lana

London - North, London

Lana is an expert Paediatric OT, specialising in Sensory Integration. She works with children and their families across London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

Elizabeth

London - South, Surrey

Elizabeth is a dedicated Pediatric Occupational Therapist with a specialization in Sensory Integration. She practices across London and Surrey.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - South

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Zandri

London

Based in London, Zandri is a Paediatric OT specialising in Sensory Integration, providing support for children at home and school.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, School Based Therapy/Support

Charlotte

Birmingham, West Midlands

Charlotte is a dedicated Occupational Therapist specializing in Pediatrics and Sensory Integration, serving the community in Birmingham, West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability, Mental Health

Ciara

Tyrone, Northern Ireland

With over 20 years of experience, Occupational Therapist Ciara specializes in pediatrics and sensory integration, serving Northern Ireland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Tyrone

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

Helen

Hertfordshire, East Anglia

Based in St Albans, Helen is a Paediatric OT working with children across North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Essex.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South of England, Hertfordshire, London - North

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care

Natasha

London - Central, Essex

Natasha is a highly skilled occupational therapist specialising in paediatrics and sensory integration.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Essex

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Sensory integration

Amy

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Specialising in paediatrics and sensory integration, OT Amy possesses expertise in fine and gross motor skills.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution

Andrea

South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Andrea is a dedicated Occupational Therapist based in Yorkshire and specialising in vocational and functional rehabilitation and mental health.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Mental Health

Jo

London

Jo is a paediatric physiotherapist providing expert assessments and treatment for children across London and the home counties.

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Profession

Physiotherapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, School Based Therapy/Support

Claire

Hertfordshire, East Anglia

Trained in advanced handwriting and sensory integration techniques, Claire is an experienced Paediatric OT helping children across the South East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, South East of England, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, London - Central, London - North

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Counselling, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment

Ganga

Kent, South East of England

Ganga is a highly experienced OT delivering specialist rehabilitation for adults and children across the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, London - South, London - East, Brighton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Social integration

Tamsin

London - South, London

Based in London, Tamsin is an expert Speech and Language Therapist who supports children in both home and school settings.

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Profession

Speech and Language Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Behaviour management, School Based Therapy/Support

Lynsey

Birmingham, Staffordshire

Paediatric OT Lynsey specialises in sensory integration and supports children with complex conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Deborah

Brighton, East Sussex

Deborah is a skilled Occupational Therapist residing in the South East of England. She specialises in Paediatrics and Seating.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, London - South

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management

Maire

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Maire is an experienced and knowledgeable Paediatric OT who support children of all ages across Northern Ireland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Lucy

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Lucy delivers expert Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment assessments for clients across East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Behaviour management, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Developmental Delays in Children during Lockdown

Tina is an expert Paediatric Occupational Therapist, she specialises in Sensory Integration and over the last year has helped many children with developmental delays. In this article, Tina shares her experiences of delivering remote therapy and shifting her focus onto coaching parents and carers.

Read more

Our Experts' Blog

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Educational Needs of Children Born Prematurely

Catriona is one of our specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapists, helping children with complex needs and life limiting conditions. She is also the founder of a premature baby charity, supporting families following neonatal intensive care. In her article, Catriona highlights the educational needs of children born prematurely and the impact of COVID-19.

Read more