Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy services for early years providers in Southend 

Occupational Therapy

The universal offer to early years providers and how to access

  • Occupational Therapy (OT) support line: access on-the-spot advice for specific queries or general sign posting. 01702 372250 (available Monday to Friday from 12:30pm to 2:30pm)
  • OT section on the EPUT website with resources
  • Early years sensory toolkit - an interactive document produced by highly specialist OTs in Essex. It has been created for professionals and parents/carers whose children are experiencing sensory differences that are affecting their well-being and functioning. Download the toolkit through this webpage.
  • Early Years sensory toolkit question and answers workshops for schools and settings: 18 March 2026 3pm to 4.30pm; 20 May 2026 3pm to 4.30pm and 7 October 2026 12pm to 1.30pm. Bookings to be made through Education Essex Online (search on date).
  • Ask the OT – Early Years: monthly training sessions on Teams on a range of topics. Accessible via the SEND Therapies page on the Southend Learning Network website or you can request the training calendar by emailing SENDtherapies@southend.gov.uk

The specialist offer to early years providers and how to access

  • Referrals to OT can be made directly by health professionals and providers. Assessment and intervention in clinic/at home or in nursery (most appropriate setting) – by clinical indication. Referral form accessed through - Children's Occupational Therapy - Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.
  • For children with postural care needs on the therapy caseload: postural care pack, assessment for equipment if needed, training for staff on how to implement the postural care pack and assessment of equipment in environment. Setting to liaise with the child's named therapist or contact the support line Monday to Friday - 12.30pm to 2.30pm. Call 01702 372250.
  • Contribution to the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) process for cases open to the service. Contribution to the annual review process for early years children open to the service who already have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in place. Requests made by the local authority via our central email address. Providers should email the named therapist for contributions to annual reviews.