We are CFHD: Occupational Therapy
We caught up with two of our fantastic occupational therapists, Jessica and Rianne, to find out about their roles, why they do what they do and what advice they would give to someone considering a career in Children’s Occupational Therapy
What is your role?
Rianne: As a Children’s Occupational Therapist (OT), my job is to help kids do the things they need, want, and enjoy doing every day. We look at their everyday activities, like playing, doing schoolwork, and doing things like washing and getting dressed. To access OT within CFHD a child or young person needs to be experiencing difficulties within two or more of these areas.
Jessica: As Occupational Therapists we make sure children and young people can do what they need to do, as easily and safely as possible. We might suggest tools or equipment that can help, make changes to their home and school, and work on improving their skills to help them feel more confident in their everyday activities. Within CFHD there are OTs within several pathways. This includes Learning Disabilities, Neurodiversity, Early Child Development, and Physical and Sensory. Within these pathways OT is a core component in the multi-disciplinary team to support active participation in everyday life. There are also OTs within the 0-18 team who provide OT through a service level agreement with the Council for learners who have OT within their EHCP and for SEND tribunals.
What do you love about your job?
Rianne: We love working with children and helping them achieve their goals. I also really enjoy working with families to make sure they feel supported throughout the process. The team we have is fantastic – I get to work with lots of different OTs from various backgrounds, each with a lot of experience. We’re so lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of the country. Being near the sea and the countryside is wonderful for everyone’s well-being.
Jessica: I’m so passionate about this area of work, especially when it comes to figuring out what’s most important to each family and child. Having the right support at the right time is key to helping a child reach their potential as they grow into adulthood. I also love helping children understand themselves and the things they want to achieve, which can have a big impact on their self-identity and self-esteem.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Children’s Occupational Therapy?
Jessica: If you’re thinking about becoming a Children’s Occupational Therapist, key skills are being patient, kind, and ready to think outside the box. You’ll be helping kids with everyday things like getting dressed, playing, or even access learning. Working out creative ways to make life easier for them is key.
Rianne: It’s also important to really listen to both the kids and their families to understand what they need. It’s a job where you’re always learning, and no two days are the same. We work across health and social care and this means navigating guidelines and resources which can be challenging. However, it is a really rewarding and fulfilling role where you can make a real impact on children’s lives.
Tell me a bit about your day working as an OT in CFHD.
Jessica: A typical day as an OT in Child and Family Health Devon is a mix of paperwork and hands-on work. Things like note writing, risk assessments and reports, are essential to making sure the right support is in place for each child. The best part is working directly with children and their families to help them with things like dressing, school and play. It’s amazing to see them make progress, whether it’s building skills or gaining independence.
Rianne: We work closely with a fantastic multidisciplinary team (MDT) including physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, paediatricians, and psychologists, and we also work with wider partners like teachers and social workers. We all work together to give each child the support they need. It’s so important to collaborate to make a real difference in children and their families lives!