Children's Occupational Therapy Early Years Team (0-4 years)

Children’s Occupational Therapists (OT) are experienced clinicians who work with children and their families to help develop and maximise safety, independence and functional skills in everyday tasks when children are affected by injury, illness, developmental delay and other disabilities. By providing early assessment and intervention, we aim to maximise the functional outcomes for all children allowing them to participate in the day-to-day activities of self-care, productivity and leisure.

The Early Years’ OT service provide support for children aged between 0-4 years in the Wirral area and work closely with multiple professionals such as paediatricians, physiotherapists, social workers, speech and language therapists and education services to provide a multi-disciplinary approach.

The Early Years team work in a variety of different settings including homes, nursery/pre-school’s, mainstream and specialist schools as well as clinics. We aim to support children and their families in the following areas:

• Assessment of fine motor skills and advice on how best to support fine motor development through activity and play.
• Assessment and support to develop functional daily living skills such as dressing, toileting and cutlery use.
• Support with postural management of children with complex physical disabilities.
• Assessment and provision of specialist equipment such as seating, bathing and sleeping and toileting equipment.
• Advice to parents, carers and education settings to support a child’s therapeutic and manual handling needs.
• Assessment for home adaptations and liaison with Wirral Council Housing Adaptations Team.
• Signposting and referring to specialist services, agencies and support networks.
• Sensory advice and strategies to children and their families with participating in functional tasks such as sleeping, bathing and dressing.

For more information on how to access the service, resources to support your child at home or in the education setting as well as useful links to services we work closely with; please explore the links below.