Childrens Occupational Therapy

The Children's Occupational Therapy Service provides assessment, intervention, support, and advice to children and young people with disabilities or impairments that affect their ability to participate in everyday activities. The service aims to help them reach their full potential. The service currently accepts referrals from professionals across education (including early years settings), health and social care for children & young people aged 0-18 years (or up to 19 years if considered clinically appropriate) who are registered with a Bolton GP. This includes the need for home adaptations, and equipment both at home and in the educational setting. Provision of equipment is delivered in collaboration with: * Bolton Council's Independent Living Service - for all minor home adaptations costing under PS1000 and equipment * Bolton at Home's Care and Repair Service - for adaptations over the value of PS1000 that would be eligible under the Disabled Facilities Grants. This service is only available for children who are residents of the Bolton Borough. Provision includes, but is not limited to: * Specialist seating for positioning, feeding and access to the curriculum/play at home, and nursery or school * Specialist equipment for nighttime positioning * Bathing or showering needs * Toileting needs * Play and hand skill development * Development of self-care skills such as dressing or feeding * Specific moving and handling advice * Recommendations for minor or major adaptations to the home environment or school environment to enable access Details of how you have come to the decision to award to this provider Bolton Foundation Trust, as the incumbent provider, has consistently met the required standards for delivering the Children's Occupational Service over a number of years. The Trust demonstrates strong performance and collaboration with Bolton's Independent Living Service. They are fully engaged, with clear communication and positive working relationships. The Bolton Foundation Trust are also aligned with Bolton's strategic priorities for children supporting the best start to life, as well as achieving long term goals, for children to live as independently as possible with a good education. They reach out into the Bolton communities from health settings, educational setting and home settings, to provide the child and the family/carer the support they need as part of the Childrens and Family Act. The Bolton Foundation Trust are integrated with NHS, meaning they have all access/knowledge to the correct systems and processes, to allow fast mobilisation at short notice. The service has been shown to provide good value for money in the running of the service, which has been recognised from option appraisal processes. Following a desktop review, no alternative local provider has been identified with the capacity, cross-sector reach, and readiness to deliver the service within the required timescales. In accordance with Procurement Services Regulations (PSR) Most Suitable Provider, the authority intends to enter contract negotiations with the existing provider, with changes to the service as appropriate.