Bexley Occupational Therapy Service Service Information and Frequently Asked Questions The Occupational Therapy team work with all children referred in to the service. We work with preschool and school aged children in mainstream Primary and Secondary schools. We also work closely with Bexley Special Schools - Shenstone School, Marlborough School, Woodside-Colyers School and Shenstone Early Years. Within the specialist service of Occupational Therapy, we offer different types of support for you and your child / teenager as outlined here: UNIVERSAL Occupational Therapy Support Some Information and training for nursery and school staff This means the support from the Service that is available to ALL children in Bexley mainstream schools TARGETED Occupational Therapy Support Provide direct support/ training for school/nursery staff to plan the classroom and social environment Activities to Support schools with implementing handwriting programmes within the school Development of programmes, to be delivered by school/nursery staff and parents Individual and group work for your child Training for school staff, nursery staff and parents This may take place QMS CDC, schools, nurseries SPECIALIST Occupational Therapy Support In addition to the targeted activities (above): Referral for specialist intervention For Functional Skills, Seating; Sensory issues Classroom and environmental recommendations Delivery of intervention for specific concerns in a class setting Whole school training Guidance on resources needed for development Specialist training for school/early years staff and parents Specific intervention packages with outcome measures Blocks of intervention by Occupational Therapists or technicians Contributing to MDT/Annual Review/TAC meetings Therapy programmes specifically tailored to your child’s needs Supporting target setting Support to teachers/TAs Environmental assessments on your child’s access within your child’s school Provision of specialist seating equipment In special schools, the children’s Occupational Therapy service are involved with: Training (whole school and class based) INSET training Occupational Therapy Service Frequently Asked Questions Q1: What difficulties do you help? Children and young people showing difficulties which might affect writing, learning, behaviour or social inclusion, access, activities of daily living and seating Children and teenagers returning home after hospital treatment, Surgery, stroke, cancer, head injury. Q2: Can my child have an appointment with the Bexley Children’s Occupational Therapy Service? The Service is for children from birth to 0-19 years Registered with a Bexley GP Attending mainstream Primary, Secondary or Special School in Bexley Young people aged 16-19 years who have left school may be referred to adult services. Q3: Do I have to go to my GP? Your GP, Health Visitor or school SENCo. Health professionals, school or nursery staff, can refer with parent agreement. Parents/carers, Health and Education professionals are asked to complete a referral form and return it to the address at the foot of this document. Q4: Where will my child be seen? Children from birth to 4 years usually come to the Child Development Centre, Queen Mary’s Hospital. The therapist might also visit nursery, a Children’s Centre, or home if needed. Children from 5 – 19 years will usually have an appointment at Queen Mary’s Hospital. Some school-age children are seen at school Q5: What should I do if I am not happy with anything related to the service I receive for my child? If you have any concerns about the service you and your child are receiving, please contact your therapist or the service manager. We aim to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. If you feel you need to take your concerns further we have a complaints process. Further information can be found on www.oxleas.nhs.uk Paediatric Physiotherapy Department Frognal Avenue, Sidcup Kent DA14 6LT Contact: Jayne Thompson/ Sarah Sanford Tel: 020 8302 2678 ext: 2883