Worried about the cost of living? Need some support? Find out more here

Children's Occupational Therapy

A Children's Occupational Therapist will help to minimise a child’s difficulties and improve their ability to learn, socialise and play. They will find ways to overcome any problems they experience in participating in activities and assess and treat the child’s needs in the following areas:

  • OTs may offer assessments and analysis of children’s everyday activities, play, self-care; and school work.
  • Fine motor skills and effective use of hands in play and school.
  • To identify a child’s strengths and difficulties and offer therapeutic approaches and interventions to find solutions
  • OT’s have specialist knowledge about child development, daily function and independence skills, e.g. feeding, dressing and toileting.
  • Assess the need for therapeutic equipment e.g specialist seating, bathing and toileting
  • Advice on environment and minor adaptations e.g. rails.
  • OT’s help a child improve their ability to learn, socialise and play.
  • To gain a good quality of life and achieve their potential.

Referrals are accepted from:

  • Paediatricians, GPs and Physiotherapists
  • Health visitors and Speech and Language Therapists can refer for early years services
  • SENCOs can refer to the school age service for co-ordination disorders for children in primary schools or in year 7.

Who to contact

Name
Children's Occupational Therapy
Telephone
01473 321230
Website
WEBSITE LINK
Address
St Helen's House
571 Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
Postcode
IP3 8LX
Notes

There are two main bases for services in Suffolk.  The additional contact details provide information about the OT base in Bury St Edmunds.

Additional contact

Name
Children's Occupational Therapy Service
Telephone
01284 741714
Address
Child Development Centre
Hospital Road
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP3 8LX

Where to go

Parking details
Most venues used by the service have parking available
Transport
Most venues used by the service are accessible by public transport
Restrictions to access
Varies depending on the venue, although most venues are child and disability friendly.
Notes

Children's Occupational Therapy is one of the core services in Integrated Community Paediatric Services , which provides for the specialist community health needs of children/young people across Suffolk (excluding Waveney).

Services are delivered in a range of venues across the county, including special schools, mainstream schools, early years settings as well as clinic bases. 

Days & Times

Services are provided during normal working hours, Monday to Friday
Time of day
Morning
Afternoon

Other details

Cost Details
Children's Occupational Therapy services are part of the local NHS health offer, and therefore no costs are incurred.
Referral required?
Yes
Referral and availability notes

Referrals are accepted from:

  • Paediatricians, GPs and Physiotherapists
  • Health visitors and Speech and Language Therapists can refer for early years services
  • SENCOs can refer to the school age service for Developmental Co-ordination Disorders (DCD)

New referrals are reviewed by a senior clinician to ensure they are appropriate and meet the referral criteria for the service.  All new referrals are seen within 18 weeks; in some cases families/schools are asked to complete preliminary questionnaires prior to attending for an appointment.    

Age Groups
Pre-school, Children (5-11), Young people
Accessibility
Disabled Parking, Wheelchair Access

Accreditation website
http://www.cot.co.uk
Accreditation details
All Children's Occupational Therapists are fully qualified, and members of the College of Occupational Therapists (COT). They are also registered with the HCPC. Highly trainined Paediatric Occupational Therapy Assistants and Technicians also work with children and young people under the direct supervision of qualified staff

Notes

Children's Occupational Therapy is a service delivered as part of Integrated Community Paediatric Services, and works in an integrated way with colleagues to meet the individual needs of children in a holistic manner.  There is more information about the other services available on Suffolk Infolink. For ages 0 - 18 years.

 

 

Service users involved in planning
Yes
Service user questionnaires, service user information/engagement sessions

Support for people with disabilities

Access Suffolk
Access Suffolk
Experience of including people with special educational needs and disabilities

Integrated Community Paediatric Services provide for the specialist health needs of children/young people across Suffolk (excluding Waveney).

All staff are aware and actively engaged in the SEND reforms, where appropriate staff will contribute to the assessments for Education Health and Care plans. 

Services are delivered to support children and young people in order for them to access early years/education, and these are provided according to the commissioned level of service as agreed with the local Clinical Commissioning Groups. 

Conditions Supported
Health conditions
Physical disabilities

More like this

Health services and specialism
Health support groups

Reviews

Sign in to write a review

Actions

Save to Shortlist

Last Updated

Last updated:

Back to top