SEND Service Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy helps people live more productive lives. It enables people with disabilities to carry out various activities of daily living, with the aim of maintaining or improving independence. Where an individual needs support in these activities occupational therapists identify provisions to facilitate care giving.


Our occupational therapists provide assessments of need regarding a disabled child/young person's ability to access their home for carrying out essential activities of daily living.  Essential activities include but are not limited to personal care (washing, dressing, toileting); mealtimes, sleep and transfers associated with these. We can also assess for aspects relating to safety for a disabled child engaging in essential activities at home.  In doing so the team works with families and carers to support independence and / or manage risks as far as possible to promote positive outcomes.


Where a need is identified, our occupational therapy staff can prescribe specialist equipment (on loan); make recommendations for environmental adaptations or signpost carers to purchase equipment/services to address needs within the home. This team works across Lincolnshire with children and young people, aged 0 -18, who have long term disabilities (over 6 months) and is part of the Special Educational Needs And Disabilities (SEND) Service. 

The children's occupational therapy team provides specialist assessments for children with physical disabilities, complex medical needs and/or significantly challenging behaviours which impact on their ability to access and carry out essential activities safely.  These assessments are completed at the child's main residence and some short breaks units. We are based in Sleaford covering all of the Lincolnshire County Council localities. 

During an OT involvement OTs could help, or provide information such as:

  • Supporting safe moving and handling principals; such as recommendations on the height/type of furniture/equipment.
  • Promoting mobility in the home.
  •  
  • Providing specialist equipment and advice to increase independence (age appropriate) and / or supporting carers in managing the disabled person's needs.
  • Information on ways of obtaining appropriate support and helping people to connect to other relevant agencies.
  • Where children have ongoing significant challenging behaviours, from a diagnosis such as Autism; prescribing or signposting for specialist equipment/adaptation to manage safety aspects; and reduce the impact on family members.
  • Support and advice regarding re-housing to a suitable home environment for meeting their disabled child's long-term needs.   
  • Identifying ways to enable carers to continue to maintain their caring responsibilities and to assist in the promotion of independent living skills where possible.
  • Where environmental changes are needed at home to enable access to essential activities; occupational therapy involvement might include making a recommendation for a Disabled Facilities Grants. These are subject to specific criteria and are administered by district councils. Additional information can be requested from your local district council.

For people able and wanting to fund their own equipment or adaptations, advice and information is available by contacting us via the customer service centre on 01522 782111.

Who to contact

Telephone
01522 782111 01522 782111

Where to go

Address
Lincolnshire County Council
County Offices
105 Eastgate
Sleaford
Lincolnshire
Postcode

NG34 7EN

View NG34 7EN on a map
Notes

We work with other agencies to support good collaboration with wider Social Care services, Health and Education, as well as other agencies working to achieve the best outcome for the child in reaching their potential; safeguarding them whilst also supporting the wider family.

Our work is carried out in the home and some Lincolnshire County Council short breaks units as appropriate to the child and their family’s needs. Support may be given in other settings as appropriate e.g.: Looked After Child placement or contact location.

Other Details

Availability

Referral required
Professional Referral
Referral Details

Contact Customer Service Centre on 01522 782111

 

 In general there is an open referral process however if there is a current social work or ESCO involvement the allocated worker from that team the allocated worker will need to make the referral. There are additional criteria for children with challenging behaviour or hypermobility; please see below:

Referrals for children with a formal diagnosis such as Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder who have challenging behaviours can only be considered from an involved professional working within the home to address the presenting difficulties. Referrals will only be accepted following confirmation of engagement with necessary therapeutic, rehabilitation and/or behavioural strategies.

 For children up to 8 years old a degree of hypermobility is expected and we recommend that you seek advice from a physiotherapist if you have any concerns. If difficulties continue and a referral is made to the occupational therapy team please be aware that we will require a current physiotherapy report to assist us in ensuring any recommendations for equipment or adaptations are in line with physiotherapy advice.

Other notes

Unless otherwise stated; specialist equipment is provided via an equipment loan service and remains the responsibility and property of the local authority.  
This team do not have the remit to provide sensory integration or other therapeutic / rehabilitation support.

We do not assess for or provide wheelchairs / specialist buggy's or car seats.

Recommendations for adaptations are subject to the disabled facilities grant criteria which does not include provision of sensory rooms or additional rooms for overcrowding.

Specific age range
children up to age 18

Local Offer

Description

Where a disabled child has involvement from our team and if requested the therapist can contribute to Education, Health & Care Plans by providing a report. 

Contact Email
name@email.com
Experience

The occupational therapy team are part of the SEND service.

Specialist Facilities

As well as the home environment, occupational therapy staff also see disabled children in some Lincolnshire County Council short breaks settings which have wheelchair access and hoist facilities.

Training details
    • Regular Safeguarding training updates
    • Our occupational therapy staff are trained in postural management for specialist postural seating.
    • Moving & handling of a disabled person including prescription and use of hoist equipment.
    • Specialist environmental design for disabled access including reading of architectural plans.
    • Autism awareness training.

This service is listed for your information. Its inclusion on the Family Services Directory does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by Lincolnshire County Council. For more information, go to Terms & Conditions

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