Birth to Settled Adulthood Occupational Therapy (B2SA OT) Service in Dorset

The Occupational Therapy (OT) team works with children up to the age of 18 who live in the Dorset Council area and who have:

• substantial and permanent physical disabilities
• severe autism
• learning difficulties

Our service aims to enable the child or young person and their family to thrive and fully participate in daily activities at home.

Your occupational therapist visits you at home. They will:

• carry out an assessment of your child's needs and those of your family
• agree a plan of action with you

We work closely with colleagues to support your child's safety in and around the home environment and to reach their maximum developmental potential. This includes colleagues in:

• social work
• early support
• health
• education
• housing
• grants 
• equipment provision

What occupational therapy can provide

Our OT team provides a number of services to help your child and family.

Specialist equipment

We provide specialist equipment to use in the home to enable your child to meet their basic needs, for example:

• postural seating
• bathing
• toileting
• transfer equipment

Minor home adaptations

We provide assessments for minor adaptations to the home, for example:

• ramped access
• rails
• stable style doors

Major home adaptations

We provide assessments for major adaptations following the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) legislation to enable children to access the home and the essential facilities in and around it, for example:

• bathing facilities
• toileting facilities
• an appropriate place to sleep
• one family area

Housing application support

We support housing applications by making recommendations in relation to the environmental needs of the family, with specific reference to the needs of the child.

Assessments for significant risk of injury or harm

We undertake assessments where the child or young person has a diagnosis where their behaviours at home are significantly challenging, putting them and other family members at significant risk of injury or harm.

Moving and handling advice

We provide moving and handling advice associated with personal care tasks to families and carers to ensure the safe handling and care of your child.

Shared carer's home environment assessment

We carry out assessments of a shared carer's home environment to make sure the property is suitable to meet your child's needs.

Occupational therapist professional registration

Occupational therapists are registered with and work in accordance with the Health and Care Professions Council standards.

For more information about occupational therapy visit the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website.

Contact us to refer someone for OT in Dorset

We accept referrals from:

• parents
• carers
• health professionals
• education professionals

Contact us to find out how to refer someone for occupational therapy:

Ongoing services

If you are a current client of OT services you can contact our admin team: