Occupational therapy children's service (Peterborough)
The children's occupational therapy service works with children 0-19 years old in the community who have a range of mild to complex disabilities and difficulties, including developmental delay, motor disorders and/or complex physical disability.
Who we are
We provide services to children and young people aged 0-18 and those who are 19 years old who are still in full time education. We work with individuals who have a range of mild to complex disabilities and difficulties, including developmental delay, motor disorders and/or complex physical disability. The aim of the service is to ensure parents and others supporting the child can manage safely and have the necessary skills and knowledge to help the child achieve their potential, promoting participation and independence.
Children's occupational therapy provides supports to empower and enable children to learn new skills or adapt tasks in order to overcome barriers that may be preventing them doing everyday activities (occupations) that matter to them. We are a family-centred profession with a person-centred approach to goal setting to promote a balanced range of occupations to enhance health and wellbeing and help a person reach their full potential.
Occupations for children and young people may include:
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Productivity - going to school or helping out at home
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Self-care - washing, dressing, toileting, eating and drinking, sleep
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Leisure - playing, socialising with friends, hobbies or sports
Individuals may experience disruption to their occupations due to injury, illness or disability. Occupational therapists will spend time finding out about a child’s and family’s typical daily life and what they want, need or are expected to do. They will need to work together with the young person to identify factors that affect their everyday function and develop goals that they would like to achieve. Together, possible solutions will be developed, such as exploring alternative ways of doing things, making changes to the environment, use of equipment, or developing coping strategies to support participation.
Information for carers
A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.
At Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, we value the often life-long support carers provide and recognise them as equal care partners. We want to offer as much guidance and reassurance as possible, to help you in your caring role. You can find general information and support for adult carers, young carers and parent carers by following this link.
As a patient, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.