A Journey to Independence

Nicky Bament is a paediatric OT who launched her own practice in 2015, followed by a charity to provide specialist equipment to neurodiverse children in 2019. Here, Nicky shares her journey to becoming an independent OT

Ihave been an occupational therapist since I graduated in 1996. I initially worked in a twoyear rotational post, although I knew I wanted to specialise in paediatrics from being a student out on placement. I felt this rotational post would cement that certainty and also add transferable skills that I could then take forwards into subsequent roles. Ironically, most of my rotation was spent in paediatrics because no one else on my rotation wanted to work in that area, which I had no complaints about, but I did experience an adult acute inpatient ward, which really was a baptism of fire. One day I ended up in A&E having been bitten by a patient whilst taking an arts and crafts group, I also experienced the devastation of a patient’s suicide, and this all tested my resilience, but I drew on my skills as a people person to manage the situations, and although I really admired those that worked there, I knew it wasn’t for me. Even though as a student you go out on placements and I had a varied array, nothing prepares you for being a “real life OT”, and looking back I would have told myself that you can’t possibly be expected to know it all, it’s a constant daily learning process! In the geographical area I lived in at the time, there were no senior two jobs coming up for paediatrics and so I applied for a couple in Yorkshire and in 1998 relocated to start a fulltime job in an NHS children’s community service. Over the next couple of years, I worked hard in gaining further knowledge and skills predominantly in the area of children with motor skill difficulties, but essentially across the board as the service covered birth to 19 years. I enjoyed the varied experiences and challenges as no two children were the same, and having to think on your feet and often outside the box, in collaboration with a great therapy team who supported each other and I loved the flexibility of managing my own diary. After two years I was fortunate enough to apply and get the senior one role, which I worked happily in over a number of years, however services evolve and change, and it became more apparent that the service was heading away from hands-on treatment to numbers through the door, cutting back on priorities and services that to me were the heart of what I did as an OT. As a result, the service went through some restructuring and some roles were downgraded. When this was taking place, I knew I needed a plan B because I could see the direction the service was heading and I wasn’t happy. Even though I successfully retained my banding and was a clinical lead, my hands felt tied by management and constraints of budget, so in 2015 I started my own independent company called OT4KidsWithDCD, working mainly weekends and doing the odd after school session. It was challenging and a steep learning curve, but starting a business knowing you still have a regular pay cheque took some stress away. I decided to specialise in children and young adults

In 2018 I left the NHS after 22 years to become a fully independent OT

My one wish is that independent OTs get the same recognition as our NHS counterparts and we can collectively keep moving our profession forwards

I feel strongly, although it’s slowly changing, we are still an undervalued profession

with motor skill difficulties because it’s always been a passion of mine. I felt they were the forgotten ones, that services back then provided some level of support but in a generalised way, non-specific and not tailored around what the child actually wanted or needed, to equip them for their future (I know this is changing, but not quickly enough). I also wanted to get back to treatment sessions and hands-on making a difference, which I hadn’t been able to do for years. I felt that these children and young adults could successfully come through for a tailored programme working together with them on areas that they have identified. In 2018 I left the NHS after 22 years to become a fully independent OT. INDEPENDENCE

Since then, I have enjoyed being able to offer more time to my clients to really get to understand the individual and offer the best strategies for them to develop; be that exercise programmes, self-help strategies or equipment recommendations. I also get to carry out treatment sessions which reaffirms the difference OT intervention can make to someone’s daily life. Additionally, I have designed grips to go on rulers, protractors and a grip for zips, and I am constantly evolving my business. On the back of working in the community and seeing how little or no funding schools have, particularly for those with and without diagnosis who are neurodiverse, I started a charity called Equipped4Learning which provides specialist equipment for children and young adults who fall under the neurodiverse umbrella across West Yorkshire. This charity is designed to enable them to access their curriculum, yet again my OT training is pivotal in driving this forward. All this has reignited my passion for OT. I feel strongly, although it’s slowly changing, we are still an undervalued profession, but I love the fact that OTs are now emerging in non-traditional roles, further demonstrating our scope. My one wish is that independent OTs get the same recognition as our NHS counterparts and we can collectively keep moving our profession forwards. To find out more about the practice and charity visit ot4kidswithdcd.co.uk and equipped4learning.org. uk. You can email Nicky at nivky@ot4kidswithdcd. co.uk for more information.

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