All About us:
The Occupational Therapy team helps children and young people to manage and maintain as much independence as possible within their daily living activities including self-care, play, leisure and school based skills.
We work with children and families in the north Kirklees area (WF12-17, BD19, BD12 - Batley, Cleckheaton, Dewsbury, Liversedge, Heckmondwike, Ravensthorpe and Mirfield).
We provide support with:
Self-care, leisure including dressing, feeding, play, access to the community and nurseries/schools. Specialist assessments which could include equipment, functional, pencil and perceptual skills.
We assess a child’s ability and independence with dressing, feeding, play and their ability to physically get around their environment (school, nursery, home). We carry out assessments for specialist equipment such as seating in school and at home, toilet seats and bath chairs. We can identify why a child may be having difficulties documenting their school work and provide some suggestions or recommend small equipment (special pencils, scissors) to help with this. We may see the child in clinic, school/nursery or at home.
We work closely with other professionals including, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, educational staff and other outside agencies (Wheelchair services and Adaptations service)
Who is this service for?
For children aged 0-16 who need support, we see children in pre-school settings, mainstream and special schools in the north Kirklees area (WF12-17, BD19, BD12 - Batley, Cleckheaton, Dewsbury, Liversedge, Heckmondwike, Ravensthorpe and Mirfield).
It is beneficial if the parents/carer can attend the appointments in order for us to gain useful background information with regards to early development and current areas of difficulty. It would be useful for a parent or carer to attend follow up appointments to discuss recommendations, equipment or therapy exercises.
How to access what we do?
We accept referrals from GP, consultants, and other health professionals, such as physiotherapy, speech & language therapists and community nurses. They will complete the online referral form.
You will receive a letter for an appointment in clinic at the child development centre for assessment or phone/virtual appointment. Unfortunately we do not provide transport. The venue is wheelchair accessible, including a disabled toilet (you may need to ask for the access to the toilet). We do not have a changing places toilet but are planning to have a similar set up in the near future with hoisting. We do have a mobile hoist and can support changing in a clinic room.
We work Monday to Friday 8-5, we do not cover weekends or bank holiday.
Phone (Community Health & Social Care Hub): 0300 304 5555.
More information can be found on the Local Children's OT webpage (opens in new window)