Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy at Greenvale School

The Occupational Therapy (OT) service at Greenvale School plays a crucial role in supporting young people with difficulties in engaging with purposeful activities during their school day. Greenvale School partners with both NHS Occupational Therapy Services and Whole Child Therapy (WCT) to support the needs of the young people. By combining these services, we aim to address students’ needs in self-care, leisure, regulation and learning, ensuring they can transfer their skills to home settings and foster greater independence.

Areas of Support
Our OT service provides targeted support in the following areas:

• Self-Care: Toileting programmes, specialist equipment, eating and drinking, sensory and motor needs, and dressing.
• Leisure: Sensory play, sensory-motor activities, and tailored sensory advice.
• School Tasks: Handwriting, tool use, seating, upper limb management, and readiness for learning.

How Does the OT Service Work?
Occupational Therapists (OTs) work collaboratively with students, parents/carers, school staff, and other health professionals, such as speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, and paediatricians. The goal is to maximise each student’s ability to participate in school and home life while preparing them for adulthood.

• Collaborative Approach: OTs assess and develop strategies tailored to each student and work closely with teachers and learning support assistants.
• Training and Parent Support: OTs provide training for school staff and collaborate with parents to ensure everyone involved understands and supports the student’s needs effectively.
• Regular Visits: NHS OTs and Whole Child Therapy staff typically visit the school on scheduled days, providing consistency and specialised care.

Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs)
Occupational Therapy input is integrated into EHCPs to highlight students’ strengths and address areas of need. This ensures that support strategies align with each student’s long-term goals.

Referrals and Contact Information
Referrals to the OT service can be made by healthcare professionals or school staff for students needing support with independence in daily activities unrelated to their primary learning needs.

NHS OT Service Contact:
Email: LH.ChildrensOT@nhs.net
Phone: 0203 049 1337

Whole Child Therapy Contact:
For more information about WCT’s approach, visit their website at Whole Child Therapy.