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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

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?

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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.

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LEA's

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

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Case Managers

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

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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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Solicitors

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

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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

Vimbai

Bedfordshire, South East of England

Vimbai is a Paediatric OT based in Bedford, providing expert therapy for children across London and the South East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

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

Diana

Birmingham, West Midlands

Trained in Sensory Integration techniques, Diana provides specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapy in schools and patient’s homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care

Chia-Chien

London - South, Surrey

Chia is an occupational therapist fluent in Mandarin who specialises in paediatrics and neurology.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Surrey, London - South

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Splinting, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, TBI

Marie

Worcestershire, West Midlands

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

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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

Rose

Bedfordshire

Rose conducts assessments with clients, providing intervention to improve their safety and independence within their home environment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Robyn

London - East, London

Occupational Therapist Robyn is a Paediatrics specialist working in London (Bow, Mile End, Stratford, Bethnal Green).

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Sensory Attachment Therapy

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, 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, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability

Stephanie

Nottinghamshire, East Midlands

Stephanie, an accomplished Occupational Therapist residing in Nottinghamshire, serving regions across the north of England and the midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, East Anglia, London, Wales

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Pain management, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Social integration, Learning disability

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

Bhawna

Coventry, Warwickshire

Bhawna, a paediatric Occupational Therapist specialising in sensory integration and a certified CO-OP practitioner assists clients with their motor skills.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Warwickshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

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

Kirsty

Renfrewshire, Scotland

Kirsty is an expert Paediatric OT who supports children with a range of conditions across West Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Counselling

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

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

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

Sarah

Swindon, Wiltshire

Based in Swindon, Sarah is a Paediatric OT visiting children in a home or school setting across the South-West.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Berkshire, Bristol, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Swindon

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

Sylwia

Surrey, South of England

Sylwia works in Surrey delivering Paediatric services and is familiar with a variety of conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Surrey

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

Daily living skills

Lorna

Shropshire, West Midlands

Lorna is a Paediatric OT located in Shropshire, supporting with sensory and motor needs for clients across the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Powys, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Counselling, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sam

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

Paediatrics

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.

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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

Tina

Glasgow, East Renfrewshire

Tina is a Paediatric OT specialising in Sensory Integration. She is based in Glasgow and visits children across Scotland.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow (City of), Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

Joni

London - South, London

Joni, an experienced OT with a passion for pediatrics, sensory integration, and therapeutic listening, makes a positive impact in London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - Central, London - South, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Dawn

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Dawn is an OT based in Cornwall, providing expert assessments and therapy for both adult and paediatric clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall, Devon

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, The Listening Programme

Specialist skills

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

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

Maire

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Maire is an experienced and knowledgeable Paediatric OT who supports 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

Katy

Birmingham, West Midlands

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

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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

Azade

London - Central, London

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Rachel

Shropshire, West Midlands

Based in Shrewsbury, Rachel is an experienced Paediatric OT offering assessments and care to children at home and school.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Powys, Wrexham, Birmingham, Liverpool, Wolverhampton

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.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment

Lorraine

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Based in Northumberland, Lorraine is an expert Paediatric OT supporting children of all ages with physical and sensory needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Borders

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS, Chailey Postural Management

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Nikki

Renfrewshire, Scotland

Based in Renfrewshire, Nikki is a highly skilled Paediatric OT with over 25 years’ experience.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Glasgow (City of), North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Lothian, Glasgow, Edinburgh

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Specialist skills

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