Multiple images of children brushing their hair, eating, doing up zips, tying shoe laces and playing with playdoh

Occupational therapy service for children and young people

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapists focus on the day to day activities that children want or need to do. This often includes developing independence skills such as dressing, participation in meal times, self-care, play etc.

We look after the child’s ability to do these activities but we also look at whether there are any other factors such as developmental stage, attention or regulation which could be impacting on their ability to engage. We also consider the environment in which a child is carrying out their activities of daily living (ADLs) to see if this is impacting participation.

We work with children and young people as well as their parents/carers on age-appropriate functional daily activities. This includes:

  • Activities that they need to do (self-care activities such as dressing and feeding themselves)
  • Activities that they want to do (play and leisure activities such as playing with toys or riding a bike)
  • Activities that they are expected to do (school/college activities such as handwriting, using scissors or using a laptop)

For example: Billy finds it difficult to dress himself. 

Short Term goal: for Billy to pull up his trousers by himself.

Long Term goal: for Billy to dress by himself.

Strategies: showing him how to do it, telling him how to do it and practicing part of the task.

Our service

Our therapy team works with children between the ages of 0-19.

After a referral has been made and accepted by the team, your child will be invited for an assessment, virtually or face to face, in a clinic or school setting. During this time, the therapist will observe and gather information from you and your child using standardised or non-standardised assessments to identify current skills and concerns.

The therapist will discuss and decide the most appropriate approach for your child’s needs. This may include any of the following:
•    Advice and activity program
•    1:1 therapy block with OT/ OT assistant
•    Group therapy block
•    Parent and/or teacher coaching
•    Adaptations in nursery/school and if necessary, equipment provisions
•    Joint working with other professionals
•    Signposting to other services

If no further input is needed, then your child will be discharged from our service and the relevant professional(s) will be informed.

Equipment provision

Equipment and Adaptations

Our Occupational Therapy service may provide equipment on an assessed and needs led basis to children at school, nursery and certain aspects at home. The equipment provided is to enable occupations and participation in daily life. It’s main purpose is to increase or maintain functional independence, facilitate safe moving and handling, minimise risks, and postural management. 

Some of the areas we may assess for equipment provisions include:
•    Seating
•    Transfers (hoists and slings)
•    Toileting
•    Access in nursery/school
•    Advice on adaptive tools for self-care and school productivity
•    Specialist Beds

Adaptations will vary depending on the need of the child.

If specialist equipment is assessed for and deemed appropriate for the child’s needs, we will work closely with equipment advisors to ensure the equipment supplied is suitable for your child and fits the purpose for which it has been provided. Equipment will be monitored and reviewed with your child’s/young person’s changing needs.

If you have any concerns regarding the equipment that has been provided you must contact the Children’s Occupational Therapy Team for advice.

The referral process

The Occupational Therapy service will see:

  • Children and young people aged 0-18 years (or 19 years in full time education in special schools) with a Redbridge home address or school.
  • The referral form must identify at least two functional concerns, such as difficulty using a knife and fork, organising books for school, dressing, riding their bike, making breakfast/light snacks, participating in PE lessons or sporting activities, handling play items (e.g. building with Lego) or using school tools (such as scissors and pencils).
  • For children who have been referred again, there must be evidence of a new problem or a change in the previous identified problem.
  • If you are unsure if you meet our criteria, please contact us to discuss.

Referrals to the service can be made by a parent or any person who supports the child. Referrals are accepted via filling in a written or electronic application. You can also contact us at:

Specialist Community Health Services for Children and Young People
The Grove
Grove Road
Chadwell Heath
RM6 4XH
Tel: 0300 300 1618  
Email: SPAreferrals.redbridge@nelft.nhs.uk

Depending on your child’s needs, we aim to see all children and young people within 6-18 weeks, and we operate a priority system for all new referrals.  Any urgent referrals, e.g. supporting children discharged from hospital or those with a complex neurological condition and palliative care needs, will be seen within 6 weeks.

Education, Health and Care Plans

Some children have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) or are going through the process to obtain an EHCP. We are able to offer assessments for this and will write a report to add OT onto their plan, if appropriate. Once this is added, your child will be seen by the Local Authority OT team for the input that is detailed on the plan. If your child has OT on their EHCP, please contact the local authority OT team at send.therapies@redbridge.gov.uk .

Social Services Occupational Therapy

This team can help if your child is having difficulties around the home or using facilities in the home. This may include aids, adaptations (changes) and equipment (toileting, bathing, and seating). They will provide all home equipment for children aged over 5. They also provide advice on moving or handling your child comfortably and safely.

Social Services Occupational Therapists can also assess the suitability of accommodation (living space) for the child’s needs. If a child’s accommodation does not meet their health needs, the Occupational Therapist may write a report to the housing options team.  Prior to this assessment, you will need to be listed on the housing register.

From 1st August 2024, the Social Services Occupational Therapy team will no longer be part of our service.

To make a referral to this team, please complete a written or electronic application form below and send it to cpat.referrals@redbridge.gov.uk.

Redbridge Social Services Occupational Therapy referral form.docx [docx] 116KB