Therapeutic staff

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapist

Katie began working for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust for the Children's Physical Disability Service in June 2020. She now works a split role between Northumbria NHS Trust and an additional Paediatric Occupational Therapy team, where she works with a wide range of children from 0-18 years with a range of physical and sensory needs. She also has previous experience supporting independent living for individuals with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.

Katie currently works at the Ashdale site one day a week offering an enhanced OT service. In school, she supports children to engage in daily occupations under the self-care, productivity and leisure categories. Katie assesses children and provides activity programmes to develop underlying skills and/or equipment to promote independence and encourage development. This can be on a 1-1 basis, through targeted group work or supporting whole class programmes. Katie also works with the Speech and Language Therapist and teaching staff for a more collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. Regular staff training is also offered by the OT team to support staff in adopting a therapeutic view and approach.

Jackie began working for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust for the Children's Physical Disability Service in November 2015. She now works two days a week in the community with a wide range of children from 0-18 years with a range of physical and sensory needs. She started working in The Dales School as part of an enhanced OT service in September 2018, initially for 2 days, but more recently, 4 days a week. Her focus in school is to ensure that children are able to participate and engage in 'occupations' that they want, or need, to do every day. These occupations are functional activities such as self care, (dressing, washing, using cutlery) productivity (writing, mark making, scissor skills) and leisure (play skills, e.g throwing and catching). She assesses children and provides activity plans to develop underlying skills and/or equipment  to further support the children to progress. She works closely with other therapeutic staff in providing interventions, such as 1-1, targeted group work and whole class programmes. Jackie also delivers regular staff training and supports staff to apply therapeutic knowledge in class situations.