Children's Occupational Therapy Service
The service provides assessment, appropriate therapy, practical advice, strategies and equipment to ensure these children and young people are able to develop and achieve their academic, social and emotional potential. Occupational therapists will work with children and families in the most appropriate setting, whether that is in clinic, home or at school.
We aim to reduce the impact of a child’s health condition, enabling them to participate productively in play, work and leisure through:
- Engaging them in activities that develop the relevant skills
- Helping remove environmental barriers to participation
- Building on a child’s strengths
We discuss realistic options with families, and signpost to sources of ongoing support. We also work closely with other hospital Trusts, GPs, social care and education services to ensure co-ordination of care. We will provide statutory assessment of a child’s needs as part of an Education and Healthcare Plan (EHCP).
Advice and information for professionals
Referral criteria
We have various care pathways for children accessing our service:
- Early Years Pathway
- Physical Disability Pathway Hemi Hub
- Physical Disability Pathway Coordination
- Complex Disability Pathway
- Hand splinting
- Muscle Wasting Conditions
- Sensory needs
- Involvement in autism diagnosis
We will offer a service to children and young people:
- from birth to age 16 (up to 19 years in statutory education) registered to GP practices in Leicester City, Leicestershire or Rutland
- attending school in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland if the occupational therapy intervention needs to be delivered in the context of the curriculum
- with significant functional, independence, sensory, movement or perceptual difficulties that can be changed through occupational therapy intervention
These may be the result of:
- Complex physical needs (birth trauma, genetic disorder, acquired and congenital disorder autistic spectrum disorders)
- Neuromuscular conditions
- Acquired conditions
- DCD / Dyspraxia / ADHD
- Developmental delay
- Environmental circumstances
Referrals can be made by:
- Parents/carers known to the service who have been discharged within 6 months
- Health professionals including GPs
- Education/teaching staff
- Social services staff
Criteria exclusion
The Service is not commissioned to provide a service for: - Any young person over 16 who is not in full time education. - Young people with Special needs over the age of 19 years. - Children / young people who have a short-term acute illness and is expected to return to their former level of function and wellness. - Patients who has had surgical intervention for an acute need and is expected to return to their former level of function and wellness. - This service does not accept children and young people with the following conditions or diagnosis unless there is a significant overriding community issue e.g. unable to leave home. - Mental Health including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and ME - Rheumatology - Ayres Sensory Integration Assessment or Treatment
How to access this service
Access is by GP referrals.
What conditions do you cover
Developmental coordination disorder, dyspraxia, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, developmental delay, neuromuscular, genetic syndromes, hypermobility (causing functional issues), spina bifida, physical disability, complex needs.
Conditions
Info about conditions
Contact info
0116 295 2495
fypc.referrals@nhs.net
Referrals
- parent/carer (if child has been discharged from the service within the last 3 months)
- GP
- LPT FYPC healthcare professional
- education/teaching staff
- educational psychologist
- social services staff
- speech and language therapist
- physiotherapist
- children's centres/early years settings
- healthcare professional at University Hospitals of Leicester