Referral information
Pre-referral problem solving advice pack
This resource is designed to provide support and advice for problems a child may be facing with functional participation in their everyday tasks. The resource should be used as a pre-referral problem solving tool to ensure that all strategies have been tried before a referral to Occupational Therapy is made.
This pack is intended as a guide only, and the Occupational Therapy service should always be consulted if:
- The need appears more complex than the solutions offered or when all solutions offered are trailed and improvement is not seen
- The child has a neurological condition which may impact upon the appropriateness of strategies given
- The child has a degenerative condition and their needs are changing rapidly
- There are safety concerns related to the activity or strategies provided
By providing advice and strategies at a universal level, a more specialised and targeted service can be provided for children who are presenting with complex difficulties.
Paediatric Occupational Therapy pre-referral resource pack
Referral criteria
- Children and young people aged 0-18 years (or 19 years in full time education in special schools) with a Birmingham GP
- Children and young people with a functional difficulty, significantly impacting on their participation in self care, education, play, leisure, and / or work. These difficulties will impact performance in more than one area. (this should be evidenced in referral information)
- For children who have been re referred there must be evidence of a new problem or a change in the previous identified functional problem.
To refer to other services:
- Equipment/adaptations within the home: 0121 303 1888 or Children and Young People’s Occupational Therapy Service - Local Offer Birmingham.
- Wheelchair Service: Birmingham Wheelchair Services, 0121 466 3220.
- For mental health / anxiety support please contact Forward Thinking Birmingham.
BCHC Children and Families Services Referral Form
What happens after a referral has been made?
Referrals will be emailed to our central booking service. The referral will then be triaged where a clinical decision will be made based on the content/information detailed in the form. Following triage, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to the referrer and parent/carer informing them of the outcome.
Where a referral is received and it is felt that the needs can be met through the universal service offer, these referrals will be rejected. The rejection letter will detail how the universal service can be accessed for further information.
When a referral is accepted, the referral information will decide which pathway into the service the child/young person is initially placed onto. We have various pathways within our service which could include attending a parental workshop as an initial appointment. You can access further information around our service pathways on our what is OT page and workshop page. Once an appointment / workshop becomes available, our central booking team will send out an opt in letter to families for them to call and book. If parent/carer do not respond within 21 days of this letter they will receive a discharge letter.
Please complete the referral form on this page for Paediatric Occupational Therapy. Ensuring you complete the first two pages, parental consent and Occupational Therapy specific sections.
Please ensure you state clearly on the referral form any support that has been put in place prior to referral and what suport you are seeking.
Please note if the referral form is not fully completed this could result in the referral being rejected due to insufficent information.
Top Tips
Ensure when you complete the referral you:
- provide up-to-date contact details for parent / carer
- tick parent consent
- indicate if an interpreter is required
- give current school details
- outline what you expect from this referral