Unite Professionals Conference 2025

The Occupational Therapy Service to showcase specialist case management support at 2025 UPL Conference  The Occupational Therapy Service, a leading independent practice with expertise in case management support, will be showcasing its services at the Unite Professionals Case Management Conference. 2025 UPL Conference, 22nd May 2025, Kettering Park Hotel, Kettering Parkway. NN15 6XT. Established in 2014, The […]

The Occupational Therapy Service to showcase specialist case management support at 2025 UPL Conference 

The Occupational Therapy Service, a leading independent practice with expertise in case management support, will be showcasing its services at the Unite Professionals Case Management Conference.

2025 UPL Conference, 22nd May 2025, Kettering Park Hotel, Kettering Parkway. NN15 6XT.

Established in 2014, The Occupational Therapy Service is one of the UK’s foremost providers of occupational therapy, delivering clinical expertise for professionals such as case managers, solicitors and insurers. Alongside its case management referral caseload, this well-respected organisation has an exceptional track record in public and private sector consultancy and is a long-standing supporter of CMSUK. 

Its three occupational therapist directors, namely RCOT Fellow and WFOT President Samantha Shann, Adam Ferry and Clinical Director Lucy Leonard, are all renowned for their progressive approach and lead a 100+ strong team of associate occupational therapists.  These clinicians are committed to leveraging the power of occupational therapy for positive outcomes and case managers are increasingly choosing The Occupational Therapy Service to work with their clients.

Director Adam Ferry and Clinical Co-ordinator Shirleyanne Kippax (above) will be attending the conference to provide one-to-one guidance on how The Occupational Therapy Service successfully reduces case manager’s workloads and pressures through efficient, clinical assessments and recommendations. Adam is delighted his practice is exhibiting at the conference as he concludes: “This opportunity provides the perfect platform for us to demonstrate how we successfully support case managers on a daily basis whilst enhancing outcomes for their clients.”

Elizabeth Casson Trust announces new Chair

Following a recent recruitment campaign, the board of trustees of the Elizabeth Casson Trust recently announced that Samantha Shann will be the next Chair when their current Chair, Dee Christie, steps down in the Spring of 2026. The Trust commented, “We wanted to share the fantastic news of her appointment at the earliest opportunity. The […]

Following a recent recruitment campaign, the board of trustees of the Elizabeth Casson Trust recently announced that Samantha Shann will be the next Chair when their current Chair, Dee Christie, steps down in the Spring of 2026.

The Trust commented, “We wanted to share the fantastic news of her appointment at the earliest opportunity. The Elizabeth Casson Trust strives to further the profession of occupational therapy, regularly punches above its weight as a small independent charity and to say that it has grown considerably under Dee’s six-year tenure is something of an understatement! As part of the recruitment process, the Trust has planned a handover period to accommodate a smooth transition from Dee to the next Chair.”

Samantha told the Trust:

“I’m delighted to be the next chair of the Elizabeth Casson Trust. I am a great admirer of Elizabeth Casson especially her commitment to social change, whilst her tenacity, clear vision, focus, and dedication are skills and qualities I see and value in many occupational therapists. The Trust embraces Elizabeth’s pioneering mindset and works in a solution-focused way to support occupational therapists in their professional development. I look forward to working with the board and many others to continue to build a connected future that recognises and celebrates our diversity as a profession and supports future occupational therapy leaders.”

Current Chair Dee Christie added:

“I’m delighted to be handing over to Samantha as she will bring much experience and skill to our work. The Trust is a wonderful charity to work with, ambitious and go ahead in all that it does. I know that Samantha will embrace our work but also seek new opportunities for the Trust to continue furthering the profession. I’m pleased to extend my term by a few months to accommodate Samantha’s start next spring and excited to work alongside her to achieve that smooth transition”.

Click here to read the article in full on the Elizabeth Casson Trust website

Reflections from CMSUK Conference 2025

After another two busy days as headline sponsors of CMSUK conference, making new contacts as well as meeting up with old friends and colleagues it’s important to reflect on what was achieved. The event is always full of inspiration but for The Occupational Therapy Service this year was even more pertinent and motivating, with the […]

After another two busy days as headline sponsors of CMSUK conference, making new contacts as well as meeting up with old friends and colleagues it’s important to reflect on what was achieved.

The event is always full of inspiration but for The Occupational Therapy Service this year was even more pertinent and motivating, with the theme of ‘The Identity Journey’ very relevant to our 2025 objectives, making it the perfect time to launch our newly adapted logo and brand new website. The soft rebrand is in no small way a result of our desire to use the term ‘occupational therapy’ fully within the business name in order to clearly identify us as who we are and what we do.

The feedback was above what we expected (and a bit of a relief!), and led to many discussions about how the profession not only clearly identifies itself but delivers what it promises, very much linked to the headline sponsor session delivered by one of our Directors, Samantha Shann, who in her role as WFOT President is responsible for the professions identity across the globe.

We reflect on the conversations we had about quality and the overwhelmingly positive feedback received about our assurance processes, as well as the discussions about how the case management industry is adapting to change, and our need to adapt alongside it.

Ultimately, the conference provided the opportunity to communicate our ‘new’ identity and how we support clients in finding or reshaping their own.

Adam Ferry, Director

The Occupational Therapy Service partners with Foundations UK to deliver DFG Trusted Assessor training

The Occupational Therapy Service has launched its new training programme for Foundations UK, the national body for Home Improvement Agencies, so DFG professionals can achieve Trusted Assessor status. The Occupational Therapy Service are in their second year as clinical partner with Foundations UK. Lucy Leonard, OT and Director at The Occupational Therapy Service comments: “We […]

The Occupational Therapy Service has launched its new training programme for Foundations UK, the national body for Home Improvement Agencies, so DFG professionals can achieve Trusted Assessor status.

The Occupational Therapy Service are in their second year as clinical partner with Foundations UK. Lucy Leonard, OT and Director at The Occupational Therapy Service comments: “We are excited to be providing this new educational programme for Foundations UK. The course is designed to evolve and incorporate the latest insights and developments in DFG provision. By the end of the training, participants will not only have a solid foundation in assessing and recommending home adaptations but will also have the confidence and skills to make informed decisions in their respective roles.”

As one of the UK’s leading independent practices, The Occupational Therapy Service provides a range of clinical consultancy services in the public and private sector. Part of these commercial deliverables is training for healthcare and housing professionals responsible for the provision of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs). These professionals include Local Authority staff, Home Improvement Agency (HIA) personnel, equipment suppliers and manufacturers. By completing a course through The Occupational Therapy Service’s partner, Foundations UK, attendees qualify as DFG Trusted Assessors with a view to achieving the best outcomes for their residential clients.

DFG funded home adaptations are critical for enabling independent and inclusive living for people with restricted mobility. These modifications, typically provided by HIAs, are influenced by Foundations UK, the national body that plays a pivotal role in advising local and central government on home adaptations. It aims to guide HIAs and streamline the DFG process so more homeowners and tenants can benefit from improved occupation in their homes. To ensure professionals operating on the front line of DFG provision, The Occupational Therapy Service is providing clinical, educational content so trainees learn how to:

Recommend appropriate adaptations

To find out further details on this DFG Trusted Assessor Training programme click here

Picture: Lucy Leonard, OT and Director of The Occupational Therapy Service with Daniel Rankine, Foundations UK Marketing Manager.

The Occupational Therapy Service
Established in 2004, the Occupational Therapy Service is the UK’s foremost independent occupational therapy company providing international support for case managers, solicitors, insurers, retailers, equipment manufacturers and individuals in the community. It is led by three OT directors with expertise that is unsurpassed, namely RCOT Fellow and WFOT president Samantha Shann; award-winning Adam Ferry and Lucy Leonard. Together, these respected healthcare professionals head up a 100+ strong team of associates who deliver clinical, consultancy and training disciplines. 100% committed to leveraging the power of OT for positive outcomes, the Occupational Therapy Service has an outstanding track record and reputation.