Occupational Therapy service

The children and young people's occupational therapy service works to enable people to participate in daily activities/occupations to improve their health, independence and wellbeing.  

Occupations for children or young people may include self-care (dressing, eating a meal, using the toilet, making a simple meal), being productive (participating in activities and routines at nursery or school, or volunteering), and leisure (playing with friends, doing sports or hobbies). 

Occupational therapists can help babies, children and young people who may need support and advice if they are not able to do daily occupations due to illness, disability, family circumstances, or as a result of changes as they get older.

Occupational therapists support the child or young person, their family and other relevant people such as teachers, to evaluate challenges and strengths in doing daily activities. This service usually occurs within the child's natural environment (home, school or other relevant community settings), although specialist assessments may also take place in a clinic.

Children's and Young People's Social Care Occupational Therapy (SCOT)

The children's and young people's Social Care Occupational Therapy service (SCOT) is for children and young people (aged 0-18 years) with a condition that has an impact on their day-to-day life related to functional ability and independence at home, for example, those who need housing adaptations or special equipment as a result of their condition. 
The occupational therapist will assess the child's needs and may carry out assessments to try out pieces of equipment and then order and provide any necessary equipment. As the child grows and their needs change, this equipment may need to be reviewed, modified, and replaced. 

The service can provide support with: 

• accessing showering/bathing/toileting facilities
• transferring safely (eg bed to chair, chair to toilet)
• postural care to enable safe and/or independent feeding/toileting/bathing
• access to the appropriate equipment to support their condition (eg profiling bed, shower chair, specialist seating system)
• access to the home environment

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

• birth to 18 years

• live in or attend school in Camden or registered with a GP in the London Borough

• referrals are accepted from parents, and health and education professionals

A referral to the service will be considered when there is a concern regarding the child's or young person's ability to participate in play/leisure, self-care/independence or participation in school life.

For school-aged children, the referral form must identify at least two functional concerns, such as difficulty moving around their environment, difficulty with everyday tasks and activities at home or school such as using cutlery or dressing, difficulty in participating in PE lessons or other activities such as riding their bike, difficulty handling play items or using school tools and materials.

The referral needs to specify how the difficulties impact on the child/young person's ability to perform daily activities (eg because of difficulties with dressing, the child misses the beginning of PE lessons; because of difficulties handling toys, the child is delayed in their play and self-care skills; because the young person cannot access the toilet in the school they cannot attend a whole day). 

Referrals will also be accepted for babies and young children identified at high risk of developmental delays in motor, sensory or cognitive areas for assessment and early intervention, if indicated. 

Exclusions

Occupational Therapy service

Please note that referrals are not accepted that state:

• fine motor difficulties
• sensory processing difficulties
• mention just a diagnosis. 
• handwriting difficulties where no other functional concerns are identified

Children's Social Care Occupational Therapy service

The service cannot support with:

• re-housing (our service does not have any authority in arranging re-housing for families; please contact the Camden re-housing service)
• requests for sensory equipment (please email us to request a list of charities who may be willing to fund sensory equipment)
• garden adaptations (unless it is related to access)
• equipment for safety issues or needs related to behavioural difficulties, for example window locks or stair gates  

How to Refer

Complete online form

Locations

Royal Free London NHS Trust