The service is available to children and young people (CYP) who have conditions which impact on their functional abilities. The service is for 0-18 years or 0-19 with an active Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), who either have a home address, school or GP within the Wolverhampton area. 

Occupational Therapist work with children who have physical conditions resulting from issues with their brain, development and / or muscles and who may also have complex long-term medical, social and learning needs. 

They are flexible about where therapy sessions take place in order to best meet your needs and to use their resources wisely. The Gem Centre is fully accessible, and they offer appointments at other venues, including your school or home. Members of their team, work in special schools on a regular basis. Appointments may be face to face, or in some circumstances may be by phone or videocall.

• Specialist assessment and intervention to maximise functional ability within everyday activities of daily living (occupations) at home, in education and in the community.
   
• Occupational Therapy intervention may also include assessing for aids and minor adaptations, or specialist equipment such as seating. The team can identify the best combination of activities and equipment for your child.
   
• Development of an individual programme to meet specific needs involving either 1:1 therapy or specialist group work.
   
• Support children and young people to develop their independence with activities such as bathing; toileting; eating and drinking; washing and dressing.
   
• Support difficulties with areas of development such as gross and fine motor skills, attention and concentration; hand eye coordination and visual perception.
   
• Fine motor skills assessment and advice to support everyday activities including dressing and using cutlery.
   
• Contribution to your Education, Health and Care Plans, supporting you at Team Around the Child (TAC), other meetings and reports.
   
• Occupational therapists work closely with many other professionals including physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and education staff including Outreach service to achieve desired outcomes. 

Occupational Therapy intervention may also include assessing for aids and minor adaptations, or specialist equipment such as seating. The team can identify the best combination of activities and equipment for your child.

Occupational therapists work closely with many other professionals including physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and education staff to achieve desired outcomes.

Referrals are made by health professionals which includes GPs, Health Visitor, Consultant and Nurses as well as Outreach services who will have identified that the child or young person has progressed through the graduated offer of services.

Contact The Gem Centre directly to access the most appropriate person or The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust service feedback can be provided by visiting Patient experience team.

• Email: rwh-tr.childrenstherapyservices@nhs.net
• Telephone: 01902 446290
• Telephone: 01902 446302
• Occupational Therapy Service, The Gem Centre, Neachells Lane, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV11 3PG