Occupational Therapy

The role of the Lancasterian School’s Occupational Therapist (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 student’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.

Each pupil is automatically referred to occupational therapy – this means that if there is an issue they can be assessed as quickly as possible and treatment is not delayed. However, if you do not wish for your child to access this service please let school know as soon as possible and they will be removed from the list.

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/  

Contact Details

If you have any questions for our Occupational Therapist, Vicky Pinder, you can contact her at school on Monday mornings and all day Wednesday.

Alternatively, you can email vicky.pinder@mft.nhs.uk

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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