Children and young people with additional learning or special educational needs and disabilities are waiting too long to access help to fulfil their potential and take part in the activities – occupations – they want and need to do at school.
In numbers
Over 1.5 million pupils in England have special educational needs – and the number is rising in every UK nation, each year.
85% of children’s OTs said the demand for OT had increased since July 2022.
The impact OTs could have
With training in physical and mental health and knowledge of child development, occupational therapists can help children and young people develop the skills and confidence to grow, achieve and enjoy everyday life at school.
But our involvement needs to be accessible, timely and provided in context to have the most impact.
This is why we are calling for every school to have access to an occupational therapist.
‘The OT role isn't just important - it is a vital part of assisting schools in being able to meet the needs of all learners.’
‘The subject knowledge that has been passed on to our team has been invaluable. It has made a huge difference to staff understanding and to children's wellbeing and progress.’
‘It has been invaluable having OT input to support children to access the curriculum and their environment as a whole.’
A tiered approach to school-based OT
Faced with increased demand and more complex needs, occupational therapy resources must be used wisely to reach as many children and young people as possible.
Prevention, early intervention and partnership
Focusing on prevention, early intervention and partnership approaches can prevent students’ physical, learning and mental health needs from escalating. As a result, fewer will require referral to OT or other specialist services – meaning children and young people with the most complex needs can access support quickly.
We recommend a tiered approach to intervention and increasing OT provision of universal and targeted support in schools.
Universal school-based OT
Targeted support
Individualised support
Principles of school-based occupational therapy
Occupational therapists work with students of all ages – from pre-school, through primary and secondary education. In some areas occupational therapists support students in further and higher education. School-based OT is:
- Occupation-focused – We help children and young people take part in, achieve and enjoy the activities they need and want to do at school. This includes writing, getting changed for PE, following instructions, playing with friends and moving from one class to another.
- Collaborative – We work with school staff to help students access learning and take part in the classroom and elsewhere – at breaktime, in the gym and on school trips.
- Context-specific – We consider aspects of the physical, sensory, cultural and educational environment that support or limit young people’s participation, achievement and wellbeing, suggesting changes that are appropriate and relevant.
- Solution-focused – We identify factors that limit a young person, or group of young people’s learning and participation, finding solutions that build on their strengths and work in their setting.
