ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

All of our OTs are HCPC registered which means they have passed an OT undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Occupational Therapy. In addition our OTs have studied Sensory integration at a postgraduate level.  Each therapist has completed further training and has their own clinical experience. You can read more about our OT's on our 'Meet the team' section of our website.

In our clinic locations, client's education settings or residential settings.

For assessment currently we do not hold wait lists. We are generally able to pick up the indirect/telephone aspects within a week and the direct assessment within 4 weeks (often sooner). On average an assessment report is completed within 3 - 9 term time weeks from the point of booking. 

We have a clinic in Doncaster and an assessment space in Crantock, Cornwall. Please visit our 'clinic' page for more information

As a company we are passionate about staying up to date with the latest advice and guidance, CPD and training - particularly on SEND law and report writing. We take great pride in our report writing and ensure that reports are as concise and thorough as possible with the aim of you not needing to go to tribunal. This means we make sure everything is specific, quantified with evidence entwined throughout. It is detailed yet concise. We are of course able to attend if needed and all our OTs have completed expert witness report writing and SEND tribunal training through SEND law solicitors and SEND advocacy companies. 

This is dependent on location and therapist availability. Typically we have more availability in clinic, although this may fluctuate at different times of the year. 

If the report has been completed by a registered and trained professional (e.g. an OT) with relevant clinical experience then it is unlawful for the local authority to reject this based on the fact it is a private report. This is because all Occupational Therapists are bound by the same code of conduct and professional standards and ethics (HCPC and RCOT) regardless of where they work or who they are funded by. Ultimately our duty is to the child, young person, adult (client/patient) and SEND law also backs this up. 

We work with many children who are autistic with a PDA profile or 'demand avoidant traits', in fact as a company most of our approaches, therapist learning and company ethos have been informed by and evolved to where we are today because of providing support to these children. We have developed a natural play-based, child-led, very low-demand and extremely creative way of assessing and supporting children because of our interactions with autistic/PDA children. 

We will work with the parent/caregiver before the direct assessment to create a clear plan of how your child will be assessed. We can also provide accessible information about the therapist, assessment day and setting. 

As registered health care professionals we aren't able to provide treatment without assessment. OTs follow an OT process and assessment needs to be completed before treatment. Without assessment, we can't determine your childs needs. 

We focus on the childs strengths, challenges and needs and goals, using ND-affirming language and approaches already discussed. Being strengths-based doesn't mean we don't highlight the needs and challenges the child experiences, it means we provide the evidence in a respectful and supportive manner. Our recommendations focus on support, accommodations and the environment. We believe highlighting difficulties the child experiences means their needs can be met. 

'Sensory processing disorder' is not a recognised diagnosis in the UK. It is not recognised as a stand-alone diagnosis within the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; DSM-5' however diagnoses such as autism are often reliant on sensory assessment report findings or 'sensory processing difficulties' to contribute to the diagnosis. 

We advise against choosing one of the other reports for the purpose of submission for an EHCP or tribunal evidence. This is because the other report formats are not EHCP or court-compliant. An example is that 'Option 2' provides recommendations, however, they aren't structured against the EHCP format. This is where option 3 or 4 would be better suited depending on circumstances as it fits the EHCP criteria. The additional cost of option 3 and 4 is reflective of the additional work required to produce the report. We offer options 1 and 2 as a lower cost option as some clients don't need a report for an EHCP or tribunal evidence.

This is always dependent on our current capacity however when able we are happy to travel up to 2 hours one way (4 hour round trip). 

0-25 years, although most of our therapists have experience across the lifespan. 

Yes - although this may mean that you may not be seen as soon, for example, if you choose a therapist who has less capacity than one of our other therapists. Our therapists are all trained to a postgraduate level of SI. Our therapists hold individually unique clinical experience so we understand that there may be a preference. You can read more about our skills and experience on our website under 'meet the team'

All of our therapists have completed Bond Solon 'excellence in report writing' live training for expert witnesses. In addition, we have completed various webinar-based training on SEND tribunal training for professionals through solicitor firms and SEND advocacy companies. We also follow guidance and key issues on our social media platform and are confident in the SEND code of practice. 

You can pay either by online card payment via our booking system, by bank transfer via quote/invoice or via card payment link on invoice. We require payment in advance for assessments to secure booking. 

Yes - both have onsite parking. Find out more about our clinic locations on our 'clinic' section of our website.

Many of the children we see show signs of masking/camouflaging and fawning. We are experienced in how this presents in children, particularly when compared against their sensory profile and caregiver/child reporting and historical information. If you think your child may be masking at school and you would like us to assess outside of clinic we sometimes recommend a home and school assessment or home and clinic appointment. If your child is currently not attending school/education at home a clinic appointment is typically suitable. Please get in touch if you are unsure.

This is down to the parental/caregiver/young persons decision as to whether they want to apply for an EHCP and the local authority will make a decision once the caregiver/young person has applied. An EHCP can provide specialist equipment, a specific education environment, professional or educational support, therapy or accommodations due to the child or young person having a disability or suspected disability. This includes neurodivergent children. An EHCP can be issued for children aged 0-25. Many of our queries relate to EHCP advice or information. If you would like further information on EHCP's including application, process, decision, mediation/tribunals and SEND law we have put together a list of resources/links that may be useful:

• Sunshine support's social media
• SEN legal offer free webinars on Youtube including information on alternative provision, elective home education and EOTAS centred around SEND law. We advise you make sure the webinar is current and no changes or updates have occured
• Special needs jungle webpage have lots of detailed accessible information on all things SEND law and specific queries/topics such as processes, EHCPS, tribunals, EOTAS
• IPSEA
• SEND code of practice
• The Children and Families Act 2014 
• EOTAS matters - Facebook
• 'SEND and EHCP advice and support' facebook group

Disclaimer: The resources, websites, and social media groups listed on this page are provided for informational purposes only. While we aim to offer a variety of options that may be of interest to our clients, please note that inclusion in this list does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Sensory foOTsteps. We have not vetted these organisations and cannot attest to the quality of their services or products. We encourage you to exercise your own judgement and due diligence when exploring these resources. 

We can do virtual assessments where needed such as option 1 or for a sensory screen page. We do not recommend virtual appointments for EHCP or tribunal reports. This is due to the nature of what our profession covers and it is often tricky to see via video certain skills (for example gross motor skills).