Transforming occupational therapy support: CLCH and local authority partners launch children’s OT support hub in northwest London

CLCH, in partnership with local authorities (Hammersmith and Fulham, Chelsea and Kensington, and Westminster) have launched a brand-new online Occupational Therapy (OT) Hub to support children and young people across northwest London, aiming to make therapy resources more accessible for families, carers, and educators.

The Children’s Occupational Therapy Service helps young people participate in and manage everyday tasks - whether that’s getting dressed, keeping up with schoolwork, or playing with friends. These seemingly simple activities can be challenging for many children due to a range of physical, emotional, or developmental reasons. This new OT Hub provides practical strategies to support children at home, at school, and in the community.

The launch of the new Hub marks a major step in an ongoing transformation of children’s occupational therapy in the region. The service began by actively listening to the voices of those who matter most, parents, carers, teachers, and young people themselves. The feedback has driven the creation of this centralised, easy-to-use digital space.

What the OT Hub offers:

• A bank of practical, easy-to-follow strategies that can be used at home and school, from dressing to improving handwriting.
• A direct contact point for reaching out to the OT service with queries.
• In-person and online training sessions covering key topics.
• Information about local drop-in events where families can meet an OT and other parents and carers, to ask questions, and access support.
• Dates for online and in-person OT workshops to get advice and feel confident about what to do next.

For staff and educators, the OT Hub serves as a dedicated space to access professional resources, guidance, and training materials tailored to working with children who are experiencing difficulty doing everyday activities. Teachers, SENCOs, and school support staff can use the Hub to find practical strategies for the classroom and take part in training opportunities. It also equips professionals with the information they need to signpost parents and carers to trusted resources, ensuring that families receive consistent, high-quality support wherever they turn.

Claire Brundle, Programme Change Lead (OT) at CLCH said: “This is about making help easier to find and more practical to use. We know families and schools are often the first to notice when a child is struggling with everyday tasks. This Hub is designed to give them the right tools, knowledge, and support to make a real difference.”

The online Hub is now live and forms part of a broader strategy to ensure every child in northwest London can thrive in their everyday life, whether at home, in the classroom, or out in the community.

For more information and to access the OT Hub, please visit www.otsupporthub.org.uk