Since January 2025, Occupational Therapy (OT) provision at Addington Valley Academy has evolved from a new service into an embedded and highly valued part of the school’s approach to supporting children and young people.
The service began with two Occupational Therapists from Cognus working two days per week. Initially, school staff had limited understanding of OT and were hesitant due to previous experiences of receiving differing advice from multiple private providers. Through consistent collaboration, classroom observations, staff training, consultation and practical support, the OT team developed strong relationships with staff and increased understanding of the role and value of Occupational Therapy. As a result, staff are now highly engaged and confidently embed OT strategies into everyday practice across the school.
A significant achievement has been the completion of the school’s first classroom audits, which identified areas for development and led to environmental adaptations and the introduction of specialist equipment to better support sensory, physical needs supporting independence in functional tasks. Recommendations have been implemented collaboratively to ensure sustainable, whole-school impact.
The OT team has adopted a universal approach, benefiting all children and young people, including those without OT provision specified in their EHCPs. This has strengthened inclusion and enabled wider access to strategies and environmental adaptations.
Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) has been a key focus, with support aimed at developing independence, functional skills and self-regulation. Sensory regulation has been embedded across the school through staff training and consultation, resulting in greater confidence in recognising and responding to sensory needs. This has supported improved access to learning, participation, resilience and independence.
Partnership working with families has also been a priority. Through workshops, newsletters, coffee mornings and individual meetings, parents and carers have been supported to implement strategies at home, promoting consistency across settings and improving outcomes for children and young people.
The OT team has worked closely with the Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) service at the setting to provide coordinated, holistic support, further enhancing outcomes.
The impact of the service has been substantial. Within one academic year, provision has expanded from four days per week delivered by two therapists to nine days per week delivered by three team members (two Occupational Therapists and one Occupational Therapy Assistant), with plans for further growth. The service has also supported workforce development, with two members of school staff undertaking Cognus’ accredited SEND Champion training to build sustainable expertise within the school.
This progress demonstrates the positive impact of a collaborative, whole-school OT model in improving inclusion, building staff confidence, strengthening family engagement and supporting children and young people to develop the skills needed for success both now and in preparation for adulthood.