Children's Occupational Therapy Service

The Children’s Occupational Therapy Service helps children develop the skills they need for everyday activities at home, school, and in the community, while supporting families with practical strategies and equipment.

We help children and young people with physical difficulties take part in everyday activities that are important to them.

Our goal is to help children build skills, confidence and independence.

We can help with activities such as:

  • getting dressed
  • using a pencil
  • playing with other children
  • taking part in learning
  • getting around at home, school and in the community

We look at:

  • the child or young person
  • the activities they need or want to do
  • the places where they spend their time

We know that all these things work together and can affect how well a child joins in with everyday life.

Watch the video below to learn more about our service and find simple ideas that can help children in school and other education settings.

 

Does your child need an Occupational Therapy assessment?

Your child may be able to use our service if they:

  • are aged 0 to 18 years old, or up to 19 if they are still in full-time education
  • are registered with a GP in Cumbria
  • have physical difficulties that make everyday activities harder

This may include difficulties with:

  • getting dressed and personal care
  • playing
  • handwriting and classroom tasks
  • taking part in learning activities
  • moving around at home, school or in the community

 

Before you make a referral

Please look at our Developing Skills for Activities information first.

This section has practical advice, strategies and resources to help children develop skills and independence.

Schools and education settings can also watch our Creating Positive Learning Environments video for ideas and practical tips.

 

We encourage families and professionals to try these suggestions before making a referral. If a referral has already been made, these ideas can also be used while waiting for an appointment.

You may find support that can be put in place straight away.

If your child is still finding activities difficult after trying these suggestions, please complete our referral form.

If you are not sure whether a referral is right for your child, contact your local therapy team for advice.

 

Who can make a referral?

A referral should be made by someone who knows the child well and understands the difficulties they have.

This could be:

  • a parent or carer
  • a teacher or member of school staff
  • a health professional
  • a social care professional
  • the young person themselves

The referral should explain:

  • which activities the child finds difficult
  • how these difficulties affect their daily life

 

Referrals we cannot accept

We cannot accept referrals that ask for a specific assessment when there is no evidence that a physical difficulty is affecting everyday activities.

For example, we cannot accept referrals that only ask for a sensory assessment.

If you would like information about sensory processing, visit:

Supporting Children with Sensory Processing Needs

This page includes:

  • videos and guidance
  • practical advice and resources
  • information about sensory processing
  • advice about support available in Cumbria

 

How the service works

Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists work together as one therapy service across Cumbria.

The service is organised into three areas:

  • East
  • West
  • South

Although we are an NHS service, we try to use a one child, one Occupational Therapist approach whenever possible.

This helps make sure support is joined up across health, education and social care services.

We work with children and families in the place that best meets their needs.

 

Our levels of support

We offer different types of support to make sure children get the right help at the right time.

This may include:

  • advice and self-help resources
  • helping families adapt activities
  • advice and support for school and nursery staff
  • group programmes
  • individual Occupational Therapy support
  • advice about equipment or changes at home or school

The support offered will depend on your child's needs and goals.

 

Setting goals together

We work with children, young people and families to agree goals that are important to them.

The goals focus on helping the child take part in the activities that matter most in their everyday life.

When the agreed goals have been reached, your child will be discharged from the service.

If their needs change, or new goals are identified, they can be referred to the service again.

 

Make a referral

To make a new referral or refer a child again, complete the:

Children's Occupational Therapy Referral Form

Resources

Advice sheets and further information:

Supporting your child at home

Useful information and resources