Overview
- Introduction
- Who provides the service?
- Who is this service for?
- How to access the service
- What happens after a referral?
- What support provided by the service may include
Introduction
Support for Children and Young People with a physical disability or PMLD
We provide support for children and young people with a physical disability and PMLD who attend pre‑school settings and local authority schools and academies.
Your child does not need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to receive support, advice, or guidance from our service.
Children and young people supported by this service may have a physiotherapist and/or occupational therapist involved. These professionals provide clinical input and recommend appropriate seating and personal care equipment.
Who provides the service?
The Oak Field Outreach Service is part of the Nottingham City SEND and Inclusion Support Services and is based at Oakfield School.
The service is delivered by:
- A coordinator / teacher of children with a physical disability
- A teacher of children with PMLD
- An occupational therapist
- An occupational therapy assistant
- Moving and handling advisors
We work with:
- Children and young people
- Parents and carers
- Early years settings, schools, and academies
Our role is to help children and young people access education safely and to support settings to meet physical, care and education needs appropriately.
Who is this service for?
We support children and young people who:
- Have a clinical diagnosis of a physical disability
- Have Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
- Attend a Nottingham City school or academy
Children and young people attending independent schools may receive support where this is commissioned once they reach statutory school age.
We do not provide support for children and young people whose mobility difficulties are related to other special educational needs, such as behavioural needs. This includes children who are reluctant walkers or who sit down and refuse to move.
How to access the service
When a child is due to start a pre‑school setting or school, the physiotherapist or occupational therapist involved with the child should make a referral to the Oak Field Outreach Service. Referrals can also be made by a school or educational setting SENCo
What happens after a referral?
- The team will liaise with the health professionals and the educational setting
- The Occupational Therapist will assess the child’s needs for appropriate equipment
If equipment is required, we will:
- Submit a request
- Order and arrange delivery
Before a child starts in a setting:
- If appropriate, staff must attend moving and handling training arranged by the school or setting
A child may not be able to start until this training is completed. This is to ensure:
- The child is moved safely
- Staff are supported to work safely
Support provided by the service may include:
- Moving and handling training for staff prior to the child starting in the setting
- Writing individual moving and handling plans and safe systems of work
- Environmental assessments to ensure equipment can be used safely
- Advice where reasonable adjustments are needed to improve accessibility
- Not all buildings can be fully adapted, and this should be considered when applying for school places
- Loan of specialist seating and toileting equipment as recommended by physiotherapists or occupational therapists
- Advice, information, and guidance to schools about physical disability
- Liaison with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals involved with the child
- Direct work with children with PMLD