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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?

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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.

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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

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.

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Rachel

Hertfordshire, South of England

Rachel is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist supporting children in the South of England with diverse developmental, behavioural, and learning challenges.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South of England, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

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 - North, London - South, London - West

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

Liverpool, Merseyside

Based in Merseyside, Marie provides expert neurological occupational therapy and rehabilitation to adults and children at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Conwy, Flintshire, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, Liverpool

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, 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.

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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

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

Katie

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

Based in Tewkesbury, Katie is a specialist Paediatric OT delivering expert interventions across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Herefordshire, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

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

Katie

West Yorkshire, North West England

Specialising in autism and learning difficulties, Katie is an experienced OT based in West Yorkshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, Wakefield, Salford

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

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

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 - East

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

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

Rosie

Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Rosie is a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner offering services across the East Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Sensory Attachment Therapy

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, School Based Therapy/Support, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability, Mental Health

Shira

London - Central, Middlesex

Shira is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist specialising in Sensory Integration. She is based in London, visiting clients across the city.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Middlesex, London - North, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, 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

Terri

Coventry, West Midlands

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

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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

Jo

London - South, Surrey

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

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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

Jessica

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Jess supports children and adults with functional rehabilitation, equipment adaptations, moving and handling, and complex paediatrics clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Pain management

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

Lone

Essex, East Anglia

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

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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

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

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.

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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

Alison

Shropshire, West Midlands

Alison, an Occupational Therapist covering the West Midlands and Wales, provides client-centred care, supporting individuals to maximise independence and wellbeing.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Gwynedd, Powys, Wrexham

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, Train the trainer, Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Wheelchair accreditation

Jennifer

West Sussex, South East of England

Trained in Sensory Integration, Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist Jennie, offers services to paediatric clients in Surrey, Sussex, Southampton and Portsmouth.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, East Sussex, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment

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, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

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

Esther

London

Paediatric Occupational Therapist Esther works in London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Paediatrics

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

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

Anthea

Essex, East Anglia

Anthea is a Sensory Integration trained Paediatric Occupational Therapist, providing specialised treatment and intervention to children with diverse needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Essex, Hertfordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, BOBATH, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

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

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

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

Natalie

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

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

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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

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

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