Occupational Therapy

Photo: A Child Eating

Interaction with young people with physical and, or communication difficulties through specific activities to help them reach their maximum level of function or independence in all aspects of their lives.

The Occupational Therapy Department has an establishment of 9 full and part time staff. Head Occupational Therapist, Stewart Evans, is also a member of the School Senior Management Team.

Occupational Therapy is available to all children who are identified as being able to benefit from the services available. To ensure a maximum student/therapy ration, there is an emphasis on those with the greater need. At Percy Hedley School, Occupational therapists take responsibility for the assessment and development of -

Fine motor skills Hand-writing development Life skills/personal independence
Access to technology equipment Seating management Wheelchair mobility
Sensory Integration Therapy
(in collaboration with the
Physiotherapy Department) 		Provision of specialist equipment


The main focus of the occupational therapists is on class based intervention where possible, and on therapy that is embedded into the educational situation. Some individual and small group work may be required for the purposes of assessment and remedial development work. A wide range of standardised assessments and nationally recognized programmes of work are used in conjunction with the specific therapy programmes designed to meet individual needs.

There is a strong emphasis in maximising a student's functional skills to develop problem solving approaches to practical situations, and to exert greater levels of personal control in the management of their lives.

As well as practical therapy work, the therapists also support pupils and their families through advocacy with outside agencies such as wheelchair services or social services staff, and as an information and advisory resource base on disability matters. Close liaison is maintained with families of pupils to ensure a generalisation of skills in the home situation. This is managed in line with the inter-professional staff team and the particular needs of the child.

Strong links are maintained with relevant outside agencies such as Regional Medical Physics, local wheelchair services and equipment providers to provide a comprehensive service to the student and their families.