CHARITIES: The many ways Occupational Therapy supports children and young people
by Nikki Thompson, Founder & Executive Director
In this article, we focus on the needs of the youngest members of the charity community explaining the varied ways in which occupational therapy can support children, young people and their families.
Across the charity sector, there is an increasing demand for practical, timely support for children and young people with additional needs. Lengthy waiting lists for public sector paediatric services mean that many families are now turning to charities and benevolent funds for help. These organisations are stepping in to bridge the gap—ensuring that children receive the expert assessments and interventions they need, when they need them most. Together, we share this common goal: to ensure that families and children receive high-quality occupational therapy support quickly and effectively, wherever they are based.
Environmental assessments and adaptations
Where a child has needs that require adaptations to their home environment, our occupational therapists will visit to assess and provide the professional advice and specifications needed to guide the works. Examples include bathroom adaptations, ramping, or ground floor extensions — all designed to ensure the family can live together safely while maximising the child’s independence.
Life changes, such as moving house or relocating due to a parent’s military service can be especially challenging for families with children who have additional needs. Our OTs provide comprehensive environmental assessments, visiting the child’s current home to understand their abilities and routines before assessing the new property to identify what adaptations or equipment are required. For military families, this ensures that every move is as smooth as possible, minimising disruption and ensuring the new environment supports the child’s continued independence and comfort.
Specialist Equipment and Mobility Solutions
Children with physical disabilities often rely on specialist equipment to participate fully in daily life. Our OTs assess for and recommend the most suitable options, such as wheelchairs, specialist seating, buggies, adapted bikes, or bathing equipment.
Working closely with families and partner charities, we ensure that each piece of equipment not only meets the child’s current needs but also promotes long-term independence and development.
Supporting Children with Sensory Needs
For children with sensory processing difficulties, everyday environments can be overwhelming. These challenges can affect concentration, behaviour, and participation both at home and in school. Our OTs identify a child’s sensory profile and work with families to create tailored strategies to help them manage these challenges, examples include structured routines, environmental adjustments, and targeted sensory activities.
Where appropriate, a course of one-to-one therapy sessions could be provided to help the child develop self-regulation skills and improve their confidence in daily life.
Developing Motor Skills for Everyday Independence
Gross and fine motor skills such as balance, handwriting, and co-ordination are essential for independence and academic success. Our OTs assess these areas and design individualised treatment plans that can be easily implemented at home or school.
Through engaging, play-based exercises, children can build strength, dexterity, and confidence, helping them to participate more fully in everyday tasks and social activities.
Education
We recognise that, unless a charity’s focus is specifically on children, most caseworkers’ caseloads will primarily involve adults. As a result, knowledge and confidence around paediatric issues — and the types of support that may be available — can sometimes be limited within the caseworker community.
To help address this, we provide training sessions for our charity partners, both in person and online. These sessions explore some of the most common reasons families may approach a charity for support, increasing understanding of children’s needs and highlighting how and when occupational therapy can play a role in helping those families.
Working Together for Better Outcomes
By partnering with us, charities can access our nationwide network of experienced paediatric OTs, all skilled in assessing and treating a wide range of developmental, physical, and sensory needs. This collaborative approach means beneficiaries can avoid unnecessary delays and experience meaningful progress sooner—supporting better outcomes for children and families alike. Our collaborative approach ensures that every child receives the right assessment, intervention, and guidance to maximise their potential and quality of life.
Through this partnership, charities can extend the scope and impact of their support, offering life-changing assistance to families who might otherwise face long waits and limited access to care.
If you work with or support families who may benefit from paediatric occupational therapy, our team would be happy to discuss how we can help. Call us on 0330 024 9910 or email enquiries@theotpractice.com.
