Your child may be referred to our service for assessment and provision of specialist equipment. This can include postural seating, bathing equipment and manual handling to support your child to access activities of daily living.
Please note; our service do not provide major adaptations inside or outdoors to your property, we are also not able to support with housing and therefore, you will need to make a referral to Social Service Occupational Therapy (Coventry City Council). Referrals can be made to this team online via https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/en/service/adult_Social_Care___Referral_form
Equipment Process
If it is identified that your child requires equipment, a qualified member of the Occupational Therapy team will arrange a visit (at home, nursery, school or in clinic) to assess your child’s needs. This may also be attended by representatives from equipment companies or other relevant professionals involved in your child’s care e.g. Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Children’s Nurses.
Once an assessment has been completed, as therapists, we complete clinical reasoning which is then submitted to a panel to be determined if this has been approved. We aim to keep you up to date as much as possible throughout the process.
Where possible, we recycle equipment and therefore, you may receive recycled equipment for your child to use. This is deep cleaned before issuing by the equipment stores.
Please note we are unable to provide toileting and manual handling equipment to schools and nurseries. Education services are also expected to fund some equipment and reasonable adjustments required in order for your child to access their provision.
Equipment Reviews
Once your child has been issued with any piece of equipment from our service, you will receive an equipment issue form with contact details and advice on your equipment.
If your child’s equipment is broken or concerns regarding maintenance arise you will need to contact the Integrated Community Equipment Services on 024 76 785353 to arrange a repair/maintenance.
If you have concerns regarding the use of the equipment or if your child has outgrown the equipment, please contact the OT department on 024 76 961455 and a review can be arranged.
For smaller pieces of equipment a review may be completed by one of our Occupational Therapy Assistants.
As a service within early years, we review your child’s equipment 6 monthly or sooner if clinically indicated.
The Royal College of Occupational Therapy have recently published guidance on restrictive equipment. As a service we aim to provide the least restrictive equipment for children and young people following these guidelines. Please see the link below for further information.