I was contacted by a solicitor who was the clients deputy. Client had no family hence the decision to appoint a representative to act in their best interest. The solicitor asked me to assess if he could have a chair as bed bound and end stage dementia. Solicitor/deputy did not know what equipment to buy and realised the benefits and need for a skilled assessment by a qualified professional.

I visited the out of area client and conducted a physical examination and assessment to ascertain postural needs. I was able to ascertain exact postural needs and identify suitable options of specialist seating by matching needs with seating specifications.

I had been advised by the deputy that client would self fund any identified equipment to avoid application delay with the NHS or LA. The client did have excess funds and it seemed the right decision. However what was paramount was my assessment identifying the right equipment. My physical assessment also needed to capture aspects of the environment and nursing home routine for my client.

I contacted a reputable company CareFlex whom I liaised closely with and requested specialist seating with exact specification to meet the unique needs of the individual. I requested a trial of the seating.

A trial enables ongoing assessment. Try before you buy. I was acting in someone’s best interests and vital to ensure the best outcome was achieved and aspects of cost efficiency.

Seating was trialled for a week and I had e mailed staff at the home my evaluation tool to complete each time seating was used to enable me to conducts thorough evaluation.

Correct positioning and use of functions was demonstrated to staff.

As the client had been bed bound staff had to be encouraged to sit my client out regularly while the trial opportunity was available. Opportunities needed to be maximised.

I rang the home each day to prompt and ensure this would happen.

After the trial period evaluation forms were faxed back for me to analyse for tolerance and patterns as well as skin integrity and comfort.

Analysis enabled me to make an accurate informed decision for my client to ensure the product was matched to the individual needs.

Professional written report with assessment findings sent to deputy.

A quote was requested and sent to the deputy with the exact specification and advised VAT not payable as individual purchase.

Seating was delivered and fitted in 4 weeks.

Improvement in clients health and well-being and was evidenced by staff, deputy and BIA/DoLS assessor for the authorisation.

We were contacted by a parent of a young learning disabled adult 20 years of age who has profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Since leaving children’s services the young adult had not received any new equipment to manage her needs.

Learning disability health services always advised they didn’t have a budget for equipment .

Adult social care OTs were not familiar with her needs and not specialist in LD health physical needs. Mother advised she had on two occasions ended up with the wrong slings after waiting long periods of time for slings to arrive.

Mom had decided it was easier to self fund slings as it was simpler.

She approached us for information as replacement slings were needed and she felt alternative slings were now required as she had heard of newer models.

We advised and explained we were independent and they assessment fees would be incurred.

Mom agreed with this as she felt she needed specialise LD specific professional prompt assessment.

Assessment identified alternative slings that would manage moving and handling easier and safer.

We were not only able to advise mom and recommend the correct slings we were also able to inform her in relation to funding and who was actually responsible for purchasing to avoid using her own funds.

Our client received a prompt specialist assessment and also did not need to self fund slings.

The only costs incurred were the assessment costs.

We were able to provide mom with a professional report that evidenced equipment was for health related needs and this was used to ensure the right funding body paid.

There was no need for additional assessment as our assessment report gave the recommendations.

We also arranged quotes from the company to be submitted with the report to ensure exact specification was ordered.

We have completed extensive work for a large local authority within the learning disabilities team.

When the team evolved it was recognised specifically appointed LD social workers would be better placed to assess and re-assess LD packages of care.

It was identified Social workers needed clinical consultancy and support to inform their assessments as many clients inevitably had complex health related needs associated to LD.

This was to enable accurate informed assessments to be completed with a view to increasing or decreasing packages of care.

Specialist LD OT assessments were completed to inform social workers before assessments were submitted to panel for decision making.

This enabled safe accurate informed assessments and reviews to be completed through specialist LD OT in-put.

This approach produced more cost efficient packages of care and enabled financial savings for the local authority.

There were also optimum achieveable levels of support for clients.

We were approached by Chc, Who requested a 2nd opinion in relation to a clients seating needs.

Initial assessment by Chc seating assessor identified no seating needs for client.

Clients family had challenged this outcome and requested 2nd opinion via their MP.

A specialist comprehensive seating assessment was completed – this involved physical examination as part of the assessment and trialled seating.

this identified complex seating needs.

Professional Report was sent to Chc and family.