Children’s Occupational Therapy

We are a team of Specialist Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants who provide a service to children from 0 to 19 years of age who have a General Practitioner (GP) registered within the Wakefield area.

The Children’s Occupational Therapy Service aim to support children to take part in the daily activities (occupations) that are important to them – at home, at school, and elsewhere. 

The role of Occupational Therapy is to assess when illness, disability, or other specific developmental need has affected a child’s ability to take part in daily childhood occupations such as:

• Play and leisure (e.g., using hands to play with toys)
• Self-care activities (e.g., getting dressed, using cutlery to feed themselves, getting washed)
• School related skills (e.g., handwriting, classroom participation, using equipment such as scissors).

We support children and young people to grow, develop, and reach their potential by identifying:

• What your child enjoys and does well, and what they may find more difficult
• The things about your child, their environment, and the activity itself that help or make things harder
• Different ways to do activities, learn new skills, or changes to the environment that can make it easier for your child to join in, have fun, and feel successful.

If a child is identified as needing therapy support an episode of care will be planned. 

You may receive:

• Advice only
• Advice/demonstration sessions for parents/school staff
• Goal based activity advice programmes
• Group or individual treatment sessions

Assessment will take place in the most suitable location for the child or young person’s specific needs which could include:

• Children’s Centre (Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals)
• Home
• Education setting
• Children’s Ward at Pinderfields Hospital (for inpatients)
• Remotely via telephone/video consultation.

This is support that is available for everyone – you do not need to be referred to the service to access these resources. 

Some children may need a more targeted or individualised approach – this will be discussed with an OT following initial assessment.  

Please access our Universal offer before making a referral to the Children’s OT Service. If you still have concerns following this, a referral to the service can be made.

Referrals can be made by parents/carers, a General Practitioner (GP), or a children’s health professional. We do not accept referrals from education settings. All referrals are triaged against the service criteria by a Specialist Children’s Occupational Therapist and are not automatically accepted. The referrer will be informed of the outcome.

You can access the referral form using the link below. Please look at the referral criteria at the bottom of the form [Appendix 1] before completing.

2025 Children's OT referral form download (not accessible).pdf [pdf] 306KB

Return completed forms to: Children’s Occupational Therapy, Children’s Therapy Service, Gate 15 Level B, Pinderfields Hospital, Aberford Road, Wakefield, WF1 4DG

Email: myh-tr.mychildrenstherapy@nhs.net
Telephone: 01924 541411

Children’s Occupational Therapy does not accept referrals for:

• Academic difficulties (e.g., Dyslexia assessments)
• Behavioural management and emotional wellbeing
• Car seats or in-car safety
• Home adaptations
• Mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, specialist buggies)
• Sensory assessments without a clear impact on childhood occupations
• Support following diagnosis of Autism or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Toilet training.

·       Wakefield Aids and Adaptations Service - https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/adult-social-care/keeping-independent-and-healthy/equipment-and-adaptations/about-the-adaptations-service/

·       Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) - https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/services/camhs-wakefield/

·       Children’s Community Services - https://www.midyorks.nhs.uk/childrens-community-services

·       Compass RISE - https://compass-uk.org/services/wakefield-children-and-young-peoples-emotional-health-and-wellbeing-service/

·       Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (ERIC) - https://eric.org.uk/

·       Family Action - https://family-action.org.uk/our-work-impact/

·       Family Hubs - https://www.wakefieldfamiliestogether.co.uk/family-hubs/

·       In Car Safety Centre - https://incarsafetycentre.co.uk/

·       Special Educational Needs Assessment and Review Team (SENART) - https://wakefield.mylocaloffer.org/search-page-lo/services/?id=157d7725-e808-424d-b996-af5800b321b7

·       Wakefield Awareness Support Project (WASP) - https://www.kids.org.uk/services/wakefield-awareness-support-project/

·       Wakefield Inclusion Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Support Service (WISENDSS) -  https://educationservices.wakefield.gov.uk/Page/7096

·       Wakefield Safeguarding Children - https://www.wakefieldscp.org.uk/

·       Wakefield SEND Local Offer - https://wakefield.mylocaloffer.org/

·       Wakefield Sensory Toolkit - https://educationservices.wakefield.gov.uk/Page/47007

·       West Yorkshire Neurodevelopmental Early Support Service (WYNESS) - https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/services/west-yorkshire-neurodevelopmental-early-support-service-wyness

·       Wheelchair Services - https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/adult-social-care/keeping-independent-and-healthy/equipment-and-adaptations/wheelchair-service/

·       William Merritt Centre - https://wmdlc.org/

References

“Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Topic: Occupational Therapy for children and young people”, 2025 [Online]. Available: https://www.rcot.co.uk/explore-resources/children-young-people-families/OT-children-and-young -people.