Occupational Therapy

WHO are our Occupational Therapists?

We currently have an Occupational Therapist (1 day) and an Occupational Therapy Assistant (2 days) paid for through Manchester Occupational Therapy Services (MOTS).

WHAT services do our Occupational Therapists provide?

The role of the Occupational Therapists (OT) is to enable the pupils to become as independent as possible and to achieve and maintain their optimum level of function. Once referred to the Occupational Therapy service, a pupil's needs are assessed and they will be provided with an individual treatment programme or with the specialist/adaptive equipment to enable them to access their environment and activities.

The Occupational Therapist will work with pupils both individually and in groups, focusing on specific functional goals, aiming to develop or maintain skills in all aspects of their life. This may include focusing on any of the following areas: dressing, personal care, feeding and drinking, motor skills and the management of sensory processing difficulties. Occupational Therapy is very individualised, therefore, how a pupil receives occupational therapy will be dependent on the specific issue that is impacting on their learning

The Occupational Therapist works closely with school and health staff. The Occupational Therapist will support and train teaching staff to incorporate Occupational Therapy aims and targets into the school day.

When the pupil’s direct intervention has finished, the Occupational Therapist will send a summary report with advice and recommendations for school and home. The Occupational therapist will monitor the pupil’s progress and offer further support and advice whenever needed.

Home support

The role of the school Occupational Therapist is to offer advice and support around issues affecting the pupil at school. However, there is also a community Occupational Therapy service (NHS) that can assess and advise when issues are presenting/impacting on home life. Additionally, there are often Parent Workshops offered to support parents to manage sensory processing difficulties.

• https://mft.nhs.uk/community/childrens-community-services-citywide/children-and-young-peoples-occupational-therapy/  

For more information, please contact the school and ask to speak to Emma Morris, Therapy overview or one of our OT team.

Useful websites for OT activities and advice 

• https://www.rcot.co.uk/about-occupational-therapy/what-is-occupational-therapy  

• https://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/ OT activities for home  

• https://www.sensorysmarts.com/sensory_diet_activities.html Sensory Processing  

• https://www.canchild.ca/ Advice for children with developmental difficulties  

• https://www.contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/health-medical-information/hemiplegia-support/support-for-your-family/  Advice for children with a diagnosis of Hemiplegia 

• https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/kids/resources/ot-activityinformation-sheets/occupational-therapy-hints-and-tips/ OT skills advice 

• http://www.otplan.com/ - OT activity ideas  

• http://www.sensoryintegration.org.uk   – Sensory Integration Network 

• http://childbraininjurytrust.org.uk Child Brain Injury Trust 

• www.headway.org.uk  – Brain Injury Association 

• http://www.pmldlink.org.uk - Profound and Multiple Learning Disability advice and support 

• www.nas.org.uk  – National Autistic Society 

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