Motor Skills

Sefton Community Occupational Therapy

Information for families

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Sefton Occupational Therapy Motor Skills Information for Referrers PIAG 221 (344kB pdf)

About the Occupational Therapy Service

We are a team of Community Occupational Therapists and assistants who are based across two sites in Sefton. We work with children from birth to 19 years in a variety of settings including clinic, home, nursery, mainstream and special schools.

We work with children and young people to find solutions to reduce the difficulties they face and help them to get the most from life. We support children who are experiencing difficulties with everyday activities that have an impact on their daily life.

We accept referrals from a variety of services including professionals within health and education. We also accept referrals from parents / carers.

How can Occupational Therapists help?

When a child or young person is referred to us we work together with parents / carers and with other healthcare and education professionals who the child or young person has a relationship with, because we recognise that these people play an important role in their lives.

We will help to identify a child or young person’s difficulties in their daily life by assessing their needs, using play and purposeful activities to help them achieve their goals and become as independent as possible. We may also assess for small aids and equipment and recommend adaptations to support children and young people’s independence.
The Occupational Therapist may look at the following areas:

Fine motor skills
Co-ordination & organisational skills
Classroom skills e.g. Pencil & scissor skills
Visual perception skills
Self-care & independence skills
Posture & positioning

If a child is referred for reasons other than those listed above, the referral will not be accepted.

If we accept a referral for a motor skills assessment, we will aim to offer an appointment with an Occupational Therapist within 18 weeks.

What to expect

At the first appointment, we will need to gain written consent. It is therefore essential that a person with parental / legal responsibility brings the child to the appointment.

If this is not possible, please contact the Occupational Therapy Service before the appointment.

At this first appointment, we will listen to your concerns and work to understand the difficulties the child is experiencing.

This can be done through discussion, observation and assessment. Assessments may be standardised, so that we can see how the child is performing in comparison to their peers.
Following the appointment, we will analyse the results and decide if further action is required.

These actions may include:

Discharge
Advice and strategies or programmes to be carried out at home and/or school / nursery. Family and school / nursery will be expected to follow Occupational Therapy advice / programmes where provided
Referral to other Professionals for example Physiotherapy, Community Paediatrician etc.
Signposting to other services / charities
Further assessment / investigation of need
Treatment / intervention by an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant
Provision of equipment
Recommendation for small aids / adaptations

If we accept a referral for a motor skills assessment, we will aim to offer an appointment with an Occupational Therapist within 18 weeks.

Our patients matter

If you have any comments or concerns about the service we provide, you can speak with a member of the team directly via the telephone numbers listed below, or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0151 252 5161.

How to contact us:

Dependent upon where you live, you can contact the Occupational Therapy Service in your area.

North Sefton
Children’s Occupational Therapy Service
Hoghton Street Clinic
52 Hoghton Street
Southport
PR9 0PN
Tel: 01704 395 895
(Areas covered – L37, PR8, PR9

South Sefton
Children’s Occupational Therapy Service
2nd Floor, Sefton Carers Centre
27-37 South Road
Waterloo
L22 5PE
Tel: 0151 252 5836
(Areas covered – L20, L21, L22, L23, L 30,
L31, L38, Sefton parts of L10)

This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.

This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.