Call on 0330 024 9910

Call for more information and costs or if you are enquiring for yourself or a family member you can use our online cost guide for individuals.

Self-care skills

Find out how we can help

Helping children develop independence and confidence

Learning to perform basic self-care tasks such as dressing, teeth cleaning and using cutlery are important milestones on the journey towards independence.

We regularly assist parents and school staff concerned about a child's development towards their self-care. And when we help children with these skills, we typically observe improvements in other areas of development too, including their academic progress and behaviour.

How OT's help

Whether your child's school has expressed concerns, or you have noticed difficulties yourself, we can help. Some of the most common reasons for approaches to us include:

  • Avoidance of certain tasks
  • Changes in behavior at certain moments of the day such as bath-time
  • Difficulty using cutlery or other basic tools
  • Problems with dressing, especially with buttons or zips
  • Over-reliance on adults, siblings or friends

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

Packages of care

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

This might include one or more of the following:

  • An eight-week block of one-to-one bespoke treatment sessions, delivered to your child at home or school, after which we will review and plan the next steps with you
  • An intensive block of treatment delivered over the holidays - this is popular with overseas families, or those with limited weekend or after-school capacity in term time
  • A home and school programme providing practical, everyday techniques, with advice and support to ensure that the approach is consistent throughout your child's day
  • Attendance at a children's independence group at weekends or over the holidays

Common areas we work on

Through our assessment we will identify the specific areas of self-care that your child is struggling with, and the source of these difficulties, allowing us to plan a targeted treatment programme.

Some of the most common areas that we would expect to be working on are:

  • Visual perception and sensory processing
  • Body awareness
  • Sequencing and planning
  • Gross and fine motor skills
  • Balance and dexterity
  • Working with parents and schools to ensure that the right approaches to handwriting continue even when the OT is not present

Schools, LEAs and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

Find out more

Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with self care difficulties.

Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you and your child 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 you and your child at home or school 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 you the right local therapist
  • Intensive treatment available during 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

Schools

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

Find out more

LEA's

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

Find out more

Case Managers

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

Find out more

Healthcare concierge

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

Find out more

Solicitors

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

Find out more

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

A few of our paediatric specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are experienced in helping children grow in independence with their self care.

View more

Mary

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist Mary works with children across various settings in the South East of England and Oxfordshire.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Amber

Kent, South East of England

ADOS-trained Occupational Therapist, Amber supports children and their families across the South East of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability, Mental Health

Amitav

London - South, Surrey

With over two decades of experience in paediatrics, Occupational Therapist Amitav provides therapy services to children throughout London and Surrey.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Surrey, London - Central, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Splinting

Jasmine

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

Jasmine offers specialised occupational therapy services for paediatrics and adults, focusing on neurological rehabilitation and functional skills.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, TBI

Terri

Coventry, West Midlands

Working in the Midlands Terri is a highly skilled OT specialising in paediatrics, sensory integration, behavior management, and mental health.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Behaviour management, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Ciara

Tyrone, Northern Ireland

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

View profile

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

Louise

Essex, East Anglia

Louise offers expert assessments and interventions in paediatrics, moving and handling, and housing and equipment across Essex and East Anglia.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Essex, Suffolk, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

Morven

Edinburgh, East Lothian

Morven has over 30 years' experience as an OT in paediatric and adult hand therapy, neuro rehabilitation and more.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Borders, East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow (City of), Midlothian, Perthshire and Kinross, Stirling, West Lothian, Glasgow, Edinburgh

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Hand Therapy, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Lynne

Middlesbrough, Durham

Lynn, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in seating and postural management and works in the North of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS, CBT, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Postural management, Learning disability, Mental Health

Esther

London

Paediatric Occupational Therapist Esther works in London.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Claire

Hertfordshire, East Anglia

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

View profile

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

Maire

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

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

View profile

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

Katy

Durham, North East England

Katy is a Paediatric OT based in Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, experienced helping with a variety of physical and sensory needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Cleveland, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Chailey Postural Management, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support

Samantha

Southampton, Hampshire

Samantha is a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist working across Hampshire supporting children with diverse developmental, sensory, and behavioural challenges.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South of England , Southampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

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

Katy

Birmingham, West Midlands

Katy is a dedicated Occupational Therapist specialising in pediatrics, sensory integration, and sensory attachment. across the Midlands.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Coventry, Derby

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Sensory Attachment Therapy

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Caroline

London - Central, London

Caroline is a skilled Occupational Therapist specialising in Paediatrics and Neurological Rehabilitation, supporting children and adults across Greater London.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Helen

Hertfordshire, East Anglia

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

View profile

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

Natiq

London - East, Essex

Qualifying in 2011, Natiq specialises in housing & equipment, rehabilitation and seating & postural management for adults and children.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Essex

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Mental Health

Natalie

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Occupational Therapist Natalie specialises in rehabilitation, equipment provision, housing modifications, and paediatrics, supporting client independence through tailored assessments and interventions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Hannah

Kent, South East of England

Hannah is a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist supporting children with various developmental conditions across the South East of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Sign Language, Makaton, Learning disability

Julia

Kent, South East of England

Julia is a dedicated Paediatric Occupational Therapist with extensive experience in working with children from infancy through school age.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

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

Lucy

Newcastle upon Tyne, Durham

With over 10 years’ experience, Lucy is an experienced Paediatric OT visiting children and their families across the North East.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Chailey Postural Management, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Lone

Essex, East Anglia

Specialising in Advanced Sensory Integration and both Bobath and Chailey approaches, Lone treats children at home, school, and nursery.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, Essex, Suffolk, London - Central, London - North, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, BOBATH, Train the trainer, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Splinting

Helena

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Trained in both Sensory Integration and Bobath Therapy, skilled Paediatric Occupational Therapist Helena offers her services across the Northeast region.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, BOBATH

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Azade

London - Central, London

Specialising in Sensory Integration, Azade works with children who have Developmental Coordination Disorder, Autism, Attention Deficits, and Motor Skill challenges.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Jo

London - South, Surrey

With over 10 years of experience, Paediatric Occupational Therapist Jo provides expert assessment, advice, and treatment across London and Surrey.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Surrey, London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Mental Health

Sam

OT Sam has 25 years experience, and specialises in pediatrics, brings a wealth of experience to her clients.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Rachel

Dorset, South of England

Rachel, an expert Occupational Therapist based in Hampshire, specialises in paediatrics and handwriting assessments and treatments and EHCPs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment

Isobel

Southampton, Dorset

Isobel delivers expert Paediatric Occupational Therapy assessments and intervention to children in and around the South West.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Southampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Marie

Worcestershire, West Midlands

Based in Evesham, Worcestershire, Marie is a Paediatric OT specialising in neurological conditions and brain injury.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Self-Care and Mental Well-Being: Do we practice what we preach?

OT Claire specialises in enduring and complex mental health conditions. In this Expert Blog she shares her reflections, insights and advice on mental well-being, stress and resilience as a health professional.

Read more

Our news & press

Our YouTube channel is live

We are delighted to announce the launch of our YouTube channel. The first videos are focused on our paediatric developmental services. Told through OT Practice Kids clients and their families, we explain our ethos for working with children is to focus on resolving their difficulties not their diagnosis.

Read more