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The Occupational Therapy (OT) team works with children up to the age of 18 who live in the Dorset Council area and who have:
and as a result of the above, they experience a significant impact on their activities of daily living (this may include washing/dressing, toileting and bathing, sleeping, seating and access in/out of the house).
"Substantial" means the extent of the disability (caused by a person’s medical condition) which significantly affects their ability to carry out one or more essential activities of daily living.
"Permanent" means the condition is deemed to be life-long with little prospect of improvement, and/or there is a likelihood of further deterioration.
The Birth to Settled OT service will assess how the child/young person’s condition(s) and physical environment are impacting on their levels of function and independence in daily living activities and routines at home.
The areas that we assess include:
If a child is being referred because of behaviours that challenge and these are impacting on their engagement in essential activities of daily living or place them or others at risk, we would advise you contact their Paediatrician in the first instance and request a referral to Intellectual Disabilities Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (ID-CAMHS) so that their behavioural and/or sensory processing needs are assessed and supported by a relevant service. They may be able to advise on appropriate sensory equipment and how to purchase/access these.
Our service aims to enable the child or young person and their family to thrive and fully participate in daily activities at home.
We may be able to consider providing specialist equipment to meet the above needs and if appropriate, complete a referral to Millbrook Healthcare for consideration of a minor adaptation (under a £1,000) or a major adaptation under a Disabled Facilities Grant.
The OT Service is not responsible for any repairs or maintenance to your house or garden. Please contact your housing provider or consider funding privately.
Higher fencing to reduce the risk of absconding may be assessed and considered under a discretionary grant if all reasonable practical adjustments have been applied by families in the first instance.
In a situation where parents have separated or divorced and the child or young person spends frequent time between the two homes which are within the Dorset Council area, then an OT assessment can be considered and appropriate equipment provided if it cannot be transported between homes. Any assessed adaptation works would be carried out at the child’s main residence only.
If a child/young person is placed in Dorset by another local authority, for example, they are subject to a S20 or a care order under the Childrens Act the responsibility would lie with the placing authority to assess their Occupational therapy needs.
If child/young person is living with relatives as a connected person foster carer or under a special guardianship order, then Dorset would be the responsible authority.
If the child/ young person requires an assessment for a wheelchair or specialist buggy please contact:
Dorset Wheelchair services
[email protected]
01202 892874
Or alternatively, you can make a referral through your GP.
If the child/young person requires an assessment for a sleep system or standing frame you can contact your physiotherapist at the Child Development Centre (CDC):
Dorchester CDC 01305 254744 or Poole CDC 0300 0192011
You can find more information on our SEND Local Offer pages.
Occupational therapists are registered with and work in accordance with the Health and Care Professions Council standards. For more information about occupational therapy visit the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website.
We accept referrals from:
Contact us to find out how to refer someone for occupational therapy:
