The Children’s Occupational Therapists (OTs) work with children and young people who have physical disabilities and co-ordination difficulties.

They treat the specific problems of children with poor gross and fine motor co- ordination and visual perceptual difficulties where they have significant impact on activities of daily living skills e.g. washing, dressing, eating, toileting; play and leisure activities and accessing the school curriculum i.e. ability to participate in school lessons or move around the school building.

We work with children and young people who have either a physical disability or coordination difficulty, which result in difficulties with functional skills and gross and fine motor coordination. 

We provide assessment, advice and treatment, where appropriate, for a wide range of difficulties including gross and fine motor co-ordination and visual perceptual difficulties, which have significant impact on activities of daily living skills (e.g. self-care, dressing, eating, toileting, play and leisure activities and accessing the school curriculum i.e. ability to participate in school lessons or move around the school building). 

We also provide assessment and recommendations with regards to classroom seating, where additional postural support is required, along with additional equipment recommendations to enable the young person to access the school environment. 

How can we help?

Our paediatric occupational therapist will assess the child’s present ability and discuss the next stage of therapy; providing activity advice where appropriate. This aims to help the child attain the highest possible quality of life through purposeful play and activities.  

Our therapist will also work with the child in partnership with their parents and carers to formulate a treatment plan. We encourage nursery and school settings, where appropriate to follow a treatment programme between appointments too.Therapy mainly takes place at the Child Development Centre where the therapist may see children for individual or group sessions. The frequency of sessions may vary according to the child’s needs. 

We work closely with other professionals, including physiotherapists, and where appropriate will see the child jointly, to provide assessment and advice.  

How to be referred

We accept signed referrals from GPs, health professionals, early years support team, sensory and communication team and school SENDCo. We do not accept self-referrals or parental referrals. 

Please complete the form below to refer to us. There is also a child development centre referral form, which can also be completed. 

Where our service is based

Hours of operation

Child Development Centre : Monday – Friday 08.30 – 17.00
Redgrave Children & Young People’s Centre: Monday – Friday 08.30 – 16.30

How to contact our service

Bedford and Central Beds
Tel: 01234 310278

Luton and South Bedfordshire
Tel: 01582 708141

How to access the service
Please ask for a referral from one of the following:

• GP
• Health Professional
• Early Years Support Team
• Sensory and Communication Team
• SENco

Self referrals are not accepted to this service, but the referral form for professionals can be found below:

CDC OT Referral Form