THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT

The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides Integrated Therapy Services (Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy) within Bishopswood School, working in close partnership with Health and Education colleagues.

The specialist therapy interventions are outcome focused, individual for each child, and put the needs of the child / young person first.

Speech and Language Therapists support each child / young person by:

• Working in class to demonstrate and model strategies to create and facilitate communication opportunities in functional situations throughout the day.
• Supporting the weekly communication groups which are run by teaching staff. 
• Providing training
• Working closely with teaching staff to set communication targets three times a year.
• 1:1 sessions to assess and review progress as well as to work on specific skills, if appropriate.
• Providing eating and drinking assessments and programmes, if required.

Physiotherapists work with a child / young person to maximise their physical potential and gross motor development by

• Handling and positioning advice,
• Specialist equipment to support the child’s position 24 hours a day,
• Exercises working on balance, control, coordination, strength and function.
• providing training for school staff

Occupational Therapy (OT) aim is to improve a child’s level of independence and quality of life, this may involve:

• Class based support for demonstrating and modelling therapy techniques and strategies to staff

• Therapy programmes to address targets as appropriate. 
• Seating, toileting, feeding and drinking, and manual handling assessments with recommendations and provision of special enabling equipment.