Meet the Special Schools Team
We have two Occupational Therapists working in the special schools service, supporting in Pens Meadow, Old Park, Woodsetton, The Brier, Halesbury and Sutton schools. Therapists aim to attend each of these schools on a weekly basis, however this may vary slightly depending on caseload numbers, home visits, clinics and meetings.
The special schools team can be contacted either through school or by contacting the Occupational Therapy department on 01384 366 912 or by emailing
Who do we see?
Children aged 4–19 years who are in full time education and who have physical or sensory difficulties which affect their daily occupations/activities. We are not able to see young people attending sixth form colleges and can only see those aged 16-19 years of age who have remained in a special school setting. We are a physical service and cannot provide expertise for children whose primary need is related to behaviour or mental health. In order for occupational therapy to be involved, difficulties need to be having a direct impact on a child’s daily occupations. These may include:
Self-Care
- Eating and Drinking – cutlery skills, positioning for feeding, selective eating with a sensory basis.
- Dressing – buttons, zips, laces, sequencing and orientation of clothes.
- Toileting, bathing/showering, hair brushing, hair washing, hair cutting, tooth brushing, nail cutting.
School
- Using hands for play and exploration, development of fine motor skills.
- Pre-writing/Handwriting – pencil grasp, pencil control, letter formation, sizing, spacing, pressure, line placement, positioning. Use of ICT for recording work.
- Scissor skills, using a ruler, use of equipment.
- Ability to engage in classroom activities and the school daily routine
Leisure
- Sports/Hobbies/Play
Children’s Occupational Therapy may include:
- Assessment and advice
- Individual therapy sessions at school
- Groups – independence skills, handwriting, fine motor etc.
- Parent workshops – what is occupational therapy and its role within special schools, toileting skills, selective eating and sensory processing. The workshops provide practical strategies for you to help develop your child’s skills and manage their needs.
- Activity advice to be carried out at school and/or home
- Teacher training
- Attendance at parents evenings
- Upper limb annual review clinics for children with Cerebral Palsy
- Liaison with parents, teachers and other professionals
- Supporting with the Get Moving programme
- Written reports and recommendations
We are a schools based service, therefore the majority of our assessment and intervention will take place in school. We will contact parents to gain additional information and to feedback our input. We will provide a written report summarising intervention and recommendations which will be sent to parents, school and any other relevant professionals.
What we can’t support with:
- Sensory processing assessments/profiles unless there is a specific occupational need.
- Behavioural management/mental health support.
- Annual reviews unless there is a specific occupational need.
- Input for children whose motor skills and ability to participate in daily occupations appears in line with developmental levels and diagnosis.
- Children currently being seen by an independent OT for the same issue, either in school or at home.
- Wheelchair assessments and reviews, please contact wheelchair services on 01384 889 400.
- Equipment only or housing adaptations. Please refer to the Local Authority Occupational Therapists (telephone number 0300 555 0050 Option 4).
Who can refer?
Referrals can be made by parents or school; consent will always been gained from parents via school staff if it’s a school referral. Parents/carers can re-refer directly to Occupational Therapy if the child has previously been known to the Dudley Children’s Occupational Therapy Service. We may also receive referrals from healthcare professionals, including school nurses, doctors, consultants and therapists. An Occupational Therapist visits school on a weekly basis where new referrals can be discussed and prioritised.
How to refer
Professionals can complete our Special Schools Service Referral Form (click here to access our referral form). Once completed, referrals can be sent to our secure email address:
