Children and families

Wheelchairs, car seats and harnesses

The Children's Occupational Therapy Service is not commissioned to assess for or provide specialist car seats, harnesses or wheelchairs for children and cannot accept referrals for these items.

Wheelchairs

You do not need to submit a referral for an assessment. Please call Liverpool Wheelchair service on 0151 296 7765.

Car seats and harnesses

To arrange an assessment you will need to contact a company directly - we have listed some specialist companies below.

You will be expected to privately fund a car seat, although there are a number of charities that can provide support and we have listed some of these funding options below.

Specialist companies

The following information may be useful when considering a car seat or specialist harness to keep your child safe in the car.

Support for children with a physical disability

The Windmill Special Needs Co. Ltd

21 Lune Street, Oldham, OL8 1BP
Phone: 0161 345 5361 / 07932746234
Website: windmillspecialneeds.co.uk
Email: mick@windmillspecialneeds.co.uk

R82

Phone: 0121 561 2222
Website: r82.co.uk
Email: R82uk@R82.com

JCM

Phone:01733 405830 - Option 1
Website: sunrisemedical.co.uk/seating/jcm
Email: customerservice@jcmfactory.co.uk

Crelling Harnesses For Disabled Limited

12 Crescent East Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3LJ
Phone: 01253 852298
Website: crelling.com
Email: info@crelling.com

Support for children who display challenging behaviour while in the car

  • Use pictures and stories to explain certain routes - for example, a trip to their Nan’s and what is expected of them. Use social stories to help them understand that routes may change. Where possible encourage your child to identify what they see on the route as this will help make sense of the social story or give meaning to the picture-aid.
  • If your child often kicks you or the driver’s seat when in the car then try positioning your child behind the passenger seat to reduce the level of distraction for the driver. This will also allow the driver to see what the child is doing.
  • Try using a buckle guard to reduce the risk of your child undoing their seat belt when driving. For example, Buckle Boss or Angel Guard. These can be purchased from a number of online retailers.
  • You may wish to consider a harness for the children who display extremely high-risk behaviours when travelling in the car. For example, Crelling harness or a Unisafety magnetic harness.

Funding options