Request for Assistance
A request for assistance - is the seeking of support and advice for a child/ young person for whom you have a functional concern. It is important to remember that many children develop challenges with achieving occupations at various stages, as part of growing and learning, so it may be that therapy support is not needed. However, if there is a consistent and persistent challenge or concern identified, assistance can be sought via a number of avenues to the Children & Young People's Occupational Therapy Service as outlined below.
Request for Assistance Via Health Professional
Advice and support can be sought from a child/ young persons Doctor, Health Visitor, Nurse, Physiotherapist, Speech Therapist, SW etc by the completion of the required guidance, and with consent from parents/ carers.
Request for Assistance Via Education
Advice and Suport can be sought by a child/ young persons class teacher, support for learning teacher, head teacher etc, following the process outlined and a discussion with an occupational therapist with consent from parents/ carers. Relevant documentation may then be required depending on the outcome of the discussion. OT staff will guide education colleagues accordingly. It is expected that education staff will have explored and implemented universal advice and strategies prior to contacting the service.
Parents/ Carers Request for Assistance
Parents/ carers can contact the service directly to seek advice and support and a leaflet has been developed to offer further information and guidance.
Contact can be made via;
on 01896 826033, or
email: PaediatricOTEnquiries@borders.scot.nhs.uk
NB an occupational therapist will respond to this request within 5 working days.
What Next?
There are several possible outcomes from a request for assistance, which are;
- Reassurance
- Signposting to another more appropriate service
- Advice & Strategies to those rasing the concern
- Individualised input