Occupational Therapy Service

What is the Occupational Therapy Service?

Occupational Therapists visit disabled children at home to look at the difficulties they are having and help find solutions.

This, may include -

Advice and information -
There may be different and easier ways of doing things both for you and you carer. If you are the parent of a disabled child, you may want new advice as your child grows and develops.

Equipment -

The Occupational Therapist can offer information and advice about equipment and, in some cases, can supply this.

Adaptations to your home -

Alterations to your home may help you and your child to manage essential daily activities more easily. If major adaptations are needed, such as a level-access shower, a stair lift or ramp for wheelchair use, the occupational Therapist can explain how these are funded and what help you may be able to get. Also we can give advice about future home alterations.

Re-housing -

If you really cannot manage in your present home and want to consider re-housing to a more suitable property, the Occupational Therapist can discuss all the options with you and may support your application to the City Council, or Housing Associations.

Who can get help?

Anyone who has extreme difficulty doing or helping someone with everyday tasks. This includes:

Children who are permanently and substantially disabled

Parents/Carers of disabled children.

We can only support things that are essential and not items that people can manage safely without. This means we are not able to help everyone.

How do I get help?

To find out if we can offer you help, you can telephone or write to the address overleaf. It is important for the Occupational Therapist to have full and clear information, so we will need to ask you a number of questions, such as the child's date of birth, GP etc. Only then can we decide how best to help you and whether a visit to your home is needed for a full assessment. Because we see a lot of children, in most cases you will have to wait for the service, but we make every effort to keep waiting times to a minimum.

What will it cost?

The Occupational Therapists information and advice is free of charge. Some low cost adaptations will also be free. However, for major adaptations you may have to pay something and the Occupational Therapist will explain how this works.

Who makes up the Disabled Children's Team Occupational Therapy Service?

The team consists of a part-time Team Manager, three full time Occupational Therapists and a full time Community Care officer.

What if I am not satisfied with the help I am offered?

You can ask to see a copy of the criteria and guidelines, which the Occupational Therapy service works to.

If you are still unhappy about the help you are offered you should contact the Occupational Therapy Manager at the Disabled Children's Team (address overleaf).

If you are still not satisfied you have the right to make a formal complaint. The address and telephone number are as follows: -

Nottingham City Council
Registration and Inspection
Melrose House
Waverley Street
Nottingham
NG7 4HF

Tel: (0115) 979 1768

Where do I find out more?

The Disabled Children's Team

Occupational Therapy Service
The Denewood Centre
Denewood Crescent
Bilborough
Nottingham
NG8 3DH

Tel: (0115) 9151067

Calls can be taken between office hours of 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.