Children’s Occupational Therapy Team

What is occupational therapy and how can it help my child?

Occupational therapists in our service help children who aren't able to do the activities of everyday life, at home, due to illness or disability, to allow them to be as safe and independent as possible. This may include looking at new ways of carrying out activities, providing specialist equipment and/or adapting the home. 

You can find out more from our advice booklet.

What will a children’s occupational therapist do?

The occupational therapist will carry out an initial assessment, which usually takes place at your home. However, sometimes this might be done via a telephone assessment, video call or at a clinic. The assessment will consider those activities that your child wants to, needs to, or is expected to do, such as bathing, climbing the stairs, sitting to complete table tasks, getting into the garden or using the toilet, and identify strengths and challenges.

Following an assessment the occupational therapist may decide, with you and your child, to do one or more of the following:

  • Recommend and provide specialist equipment for use at home to support you and your child, with participation in everyday activities
  • Advise on/make recommendations for adaptations at home to improve access to essential facilities for your child, and advise on grants that may be available
  • Provide support and advice regarding rehousing
  • Provide support and advice regarding safety within the home
  • Explore new ways of carrying out activities
  • Signpost to other professional and voluntary agencies

What we don’t do

  • We don’t provide therapy, activity programmes, or school assessment. These services are provided by the Occupational Therapy team at Shropshire Community Health Trust. You can call their advice line on 01743 450800
  • We don’t complete sensory integration assessment or provide equipment to meet sensory needs. Sensory assessments are sometimes offered by OTs in the NHS, but often this is sensory advice. Some schools have OTs that can give sensory integration advice
  • Shropshire Community Health Trust provides sensory information and advice on their webpage. You can call their advice line on 01743 450800
  • We're unable assist with behaviour modification programmes. Support with this is offered by other services. Phone COMPASS for further advice: 0345 678 9021
  • We don't provide wheelchairs or specialist buggies. These are provided by the Shropshire Wheelchair and Posture Service. We may be able, where appropriate, to assist with making a referral to this service. For more information take a look at the Shropshire Community Health Trust website or phone 01743 444051. Wheelchairs and specialist buggies are still available through Wheelchair Services for children and young people who have physical mobility difficulties. If a child/ young person needs a buggy or wheelchair because of behaviours that challenge, rather than a physical mobility need, Wheelchair Services are no longer able to provide this equipment. There is no legal duty for services to provide this type of equipment, so many families access support through charities or grant funding instead. It's also important to know that this service only covers equipment used at home or within your property's boundary. Equipment needed for use outside the home, such as when you're out in the community, isn't covered as part of this service.
  • We don't assess for specialist car seats or harnesses - an assessment can be arranged through RDAC
  • We don’t provide items that are aimed at general home safety for children and are readily available for purchase. These items include standard monitors and alarms, window, door and cupboard locks. It's expected that prior to receiving an assessment you'll have already undertaken reasonable measures to keep your child safe. For more information on improving safety within the home and contact details for other services, please follow the link to our safety advice booklet

How can I make a referral for a child (0-18)?

For an assessment of your child’s needs at home, you can refer directly to the Occupational Therapy Service by calling COMPASS on 0345 678 9021. Phone lines are open Monday to Thursday, 8:45am to 5pm, and on Friday from 8:45am to 4pm.

How can I make a referral for an adult (18+)?

You can refer yourself or someone else (with their permission) directly to the Adult Occupational Therapy Service by calling the First Point of Contact team (FPOC) on 0345 678 9044.

What will happen once a referral has been made?

The referral will be sent by COMPASS to the Children’s Occupational Therapy Team, where a decision will be made as to whether the referral is accepted. A member of the team may contact you to gather additional information to assist in making this decision. If the referral isn't accepted the team will, where possible, signpost you to other appropriate services.

There's currently a waiting list to receive an assessment. As soon as the referral can be allocated to an occupational therapist you'll be contacted to arrange an assessment.

If your child’s needs change while you're waiting, please contact COMPASS on 0345 678 9021 to update the referral.

Contact us

For any children’s occupational therapy queries please phone COMPASS on 0345 678 9021.

For out of hours emergencies that can't wait until the next working day, please phone the Emergency Social Work team on 0345 678 9040.

Related information

  • Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children – one of the largest providers of specialist equipment grants in the UK. They may fund or loan specialist buggies, wheelchairs, car seats and other equipment, including equipment needed because of behavioural or complex needs. Applications usually need support from a healthcare or education professional
  • AFK (Action For Kids) – provides grants for mobility equipment such as specialist buggies, manual and powered wheelchairs, walkers and specialist trikes for disabled children and young people up to age 25. Applications are paused from time to time due to demand, so it's worth checking their website regularly
  • Variety, the Children's Charity – offers grants for specialist equipment for disabled children under 19, including mobility equipment where it will improve independence and quality of life
  • Family Fund – while they don't usually fund specialist buggies or equipment that should be provided by statutory services, they may be able to help with related items such as specialist trikes, family breaks or other equipment that supports disabled children