Children's Occupational Therapy - run by Bedfordshire Community Health Services

What we do

The Bedfordshire and Luton paediatric occupational therapy service offers assessment and intervention as indicated for difficulties with functional skills due to motor difficulties.

Occupational therapists treat the specific problems of children with poor gross and fine motor co-ordination and visual perceptual difficulties where they have a significant impact on activities of daily living skills; and where difficulties are not associated solely to a generally delayed presentation.  Activities of daily living skills include: washing, dressing, eating toileting, play and leisure activities and accessing the school curriculum i.e. the ability to participate in school lessons or move around the school building.

We provide assessment, advice and treatment where appropriate.

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

Click on the links to access our pages on:

• Sensory Processing Awareness Training
• Developmental Skills Package

Our Sensory Processing Awareness Training is also available to listen or read a transcript in your native language - click here.

To accompany the video we have produced some helpful literature - click on the links below to access:

• How to use the Planning Wheel
• Planning Wheels

How to refer?

Currently you need to ring 01234 310274 and provide a case history and for the service to provide advice.

How can we help?

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

Our therapists 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.  We support staff to understand the objectives behind the activities and feel confident in implementing the programme activities.  Therapy mainly takes place at Redgrave Children and Young People’s Centre (Luton) or the Child Development Centre (Kempston); where therapists may see a child for individual or group sessions.  The frequency of sessions will vary according to the child’s needs. 

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

After occupational therapy assessment or a period of intervention, outcomes are evaluated and a clinically led decision is made in partnership with the parents/carers regarding the child’s needs.  This may involve further advice, direct face to face interventions, discharge and/or referral onto other relevant services/agencies.

Sensory differences can contribute to difficulties taking part in everyday activities in different environments such as getting dressed or eating, handwriting or going to the park. 

Further information about sensory processing can be found here.

The Service is based at:

Child Development Centre
Hill Rise
Kempston
Bedford
MK42 7EB

Hours of Operation Monday – Friday 08.30 – 17.00

How to Contact Service

Tel: 01234 310278

Email:  ccs.beds.childrens.ot.cdc@nhs.net