Occupational Therapy Team
What is occupational therapy and how can it help me?
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in our service help people who aren't able to undertake activities at home due to illness or disability, or aren't as independent as they could be. This may include looking at new ways of carrying out daily living activities, providing specialist equipment and/or adapting the home.
What will an occupational therapist do?
The occupational therapist, or assistant, will carry out an initial assessment, which may be via virtual means or in person. The assessment will consider those activities that you, or the person you care for, wants to do, needs to do, or is expected to do, and identify strengths and challenges.
Following an assessment the occupational therapist, or assistant, may decide, with you, to do one or more of the following:
- Recommend and provide specialist equipment for use at home to support you, or the person you care for, with participation in daily living activities
- Advise on/make recommendations for adaptations at home to improve access to essential facilities for you, or the person you care for, and advise on grants that may be available
- Provide support and advice regarding rehousing
- Provide support and advice regarding safety within the home
- Signpost to other professionals and voluntary agencies
What we don’t do
- We don't provide either hospital or electric profiling beds
- We don't provide physiotherapy or ‘hands-on therapy’ sessions
- We don't provide sensory integration interventions or equipment
- We don't complete moving and handling assessments. Please contact the Independent Living Partnership (ILP) for further information on 01743 250820
- We don't provide wheelchairs. For an assessment, contact Shropshire Wheelchair and Postural Services on 01743 444051
- We don't assess for specialist car seats or harnesses - an assessment can be arranged through RDAC
How can I make a referral for a child (0-18)?
We operate an open referral system. All referrals are made by calling 0345 678 9021.
How can I make a referral for an adult (18+)?
You can make a referral for yourself or on someone else’s behalf providing you have their permission. We can advise you on this.
The Independent Living Partnership (ILP) is continuing to complete assessments over the telephone. To arrange an assessment at The ILP please contact them on 01743 250820.
If you're unable to leave the property for an assessment, you can refer directly to the Occupational Therapy Service by calling our First Point of Contact team on 0345 678 9044 (phone lines are open Monday to Thursday, 8:45am to 5pm, and on Friday from 8:45am to 4pm).
First Point of Contact is a friendly and dedicated team of advisors who will ensure that customers get the right help and support as quickly as possible. The advisor will gather information to determine your specific needs and pass this onto the Occupational Therapy Team.
What will happen once a referral has been made?
You might receive a phone call from a duty occupational therapist/assistant to get further information on your need. This is to build a better picture of the scenario you or the person you care for is facing. If you're able to email photographs of the problematic home environment, this will help our therapists prioritise your request and consider solutions.
If the referral is accepted, you'll be contacted by an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant to arrange an initial assessment. Please be aware there's a waiting time for an occupational therapy assessment.
If the referral isn't accepted, or your needs cannot be met through the OT service, we will, where possible, signpost you to other services who may be better able to meet your need, or the need of the person you care for.