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Last updated: 03-04-2025. From web page: Occupational therapy for disabled children.

Children’s Community Occupation Therapy (OT) – Service Information and Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Introduction

Referrals received in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Service are screened using a comprehensive form and using a prioritisation chart. 

Please be aware that there can be a waiting period for 8-10 months prior to assessment. If it is agreed that adaptions are required for a property that you occupy then you will go onto an adaptation waiting list before these works can be carried

Service objectives

To provide advice, equipment or to recommend adaptations to housing for children and young people who have significant, complex health conditions and those with moderate, severe or profound range of learning disabilities.  The outcome of assessment is to enable them to live more independently; to ensure that they can have improved experiences; to reduce risk to them or their families.

Before referring to the OT service, it is expected that support via universal services has been utilised. See Southampton’s local offer.

If a child is being referred due to their behaviours placing them and others at risk, we highly recommend that their behavioural and/or sensory processing needs are assessed and supported by a relevant service. These may include Portage, Support via your local Family Hub, Autism Hampshire, Early Bird Training Courses and CAMHS.

This is because the children with disabilities occupational therapy team do not have a remit to provide therapeutic interventions and all options to alter behaviours of concern should be explored prior to our involvement.

Our remit is to support with activities within the home environment only. If you would like support for your child within an educational setting, please contact the setting directly.

Occupational Therapists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council. It holds a register of all people eligible to practice which is a requirement for the occupational therapists in our team.

Referral criteria

The child will be eligible if they

  • Are under 18 years old.
  • Live at a permanent, primary residence in the Southampton City Council boundary.
  • Fill at least one of the criteria in A and one in B.

A

  1. Receiving a service from Jigsaw.
  2. Receiving a service from the Community Children’s Nursing team.
  3. Attends a special school for children with physical conditions or has a Statement of Special Educational Need.
  4. Has a condition which is likely to deteriorate and impact on their ability to be independent.

B

  1. Requires access their environment due to use of necessary equipment. e.g. seating, wheelchair.
  2. Needs ‘manual handling’ in order to bath, shower, manage the toilet or get into a bed or chair.
  3. Requires their home to be adapted in order that they can live as part of the family unit; however, the Eligibility Criteria for Southampton Major Adaptations states ”it is unrealistic to provide major works for children under 3 years old because future functional ability and development is difficult to predict”. This would not exclude accepting a referral on the basis of offering information and discussion with the child’s parents/carers.
  4. There is a significant risk to the physical health of their carers or family.

Referral pathway

Flowchart showing refereal pathway

Please note:

We are unable to provide a service for children who have been placed in Southampton by another Local Authority under a fostering arrangement. The provision of Children’s OT for that child remains the responsibility of the referring Authority. We can provide details of local private services if required.

Dual residence

If the child spends time in two homes within the Southampton boundary e.g., parents are separated/divorced, then we can potentially assess in both locations providing there is a reasonable amount of time spent at both addresses to warrant provision of equipment/adaptations. Discretion will be used in these cases.

Our service is unable to provide the following

  • Sensory Processing assessments and Sensory Integration therapies, sensory play equipment, therapeutic equipment e.g. sensory swing, weighted blanket, therapy pool, climbing equipment.
  • The OT may be able to help support applying for charity funding if required.
  • Provision of small non-specialist, commercially available items, e.g.: stair gates, highchairs, video and baby monitors, door chain locks, cupboard locks, kitchen and home safety gadgets, tap guards, iPads, bathmats, medicine cupboards, booster seats.
  • OT assessment and equipment provision at schools, nurseries, or any educational setting.
  • Hoist slings for the child to use at school or respite care when they do not use a hoist at home.
  • Moving and handling risk assessment and care plans for places other than home.
  • If your child requires an assessment for a wheelchair or specialist stroller they will need therapy or GP referral to the Southampton Wheelchair Service.
  • If your child requires an assessment for a sleep system or standing frame – please contact their physiotherapist, school physiotherapist or the Child Development Centre.
  • If your child requires a car seat assessment contact the in-Car Safety Centre who offer advice and guidance around specialist and non-specialist car seats and links to charities who may help with funding.

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