Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapists (OTs) work with people of all ages to enable them to participate in daily life, to improve their health and wellbeing. Daily life is made up of many activities (or ‘occupations’).

For children, these occupations may include:

• Education
• Play
• Personal and self-care
• Sleeping
• Communicating, socialising

Understanding the whole person, including their physical, mental, emotional, behavioural, and sensory needs.

Occupational Therapists are trained to understand the whole person, including their physical, mental, emotional, behavioural, and sensory needs. They will consider the interactions with family, peers, and significant others, as well as the interaction with the environment and community.

Within the school setting Occupational Therapists will have developed skills and knowledge relating to child development and curriculum expectations. At Ingfield Manor School the Occupational Therapists form an integral part of the transdisciplinary team, working collaboratively and in synergy with Physiotherapists, Conductors, Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists, Teachers, and support staff, as well as with external services and professionals.

The Occupational Therapy provision within Ingfield Manor School includes: (but is not limited to):

• Ongoing assessment and review of goals. Areas assessed might include: curriculum access, handwriting, posture, ICT access, personal care, dressing, transfers.
• Involvement in all educational reviews; including contribution to Education, Health and Care plans, annual reviews and termly objectives.
• Recommendations and review of specialist equipment for postural support, moving and handling, and to enable participation in school activities.
• Intervention in specific areas such as hand skill development, visual perceptual skills and sensory needs.