As any parent knows, raising a kid is both joy and chaos. And when it comes to juggling a life already as stressful as it is, sometimes all we need is just a bit of support.
For many families, occupational therapy (OT) is just a life-changer. Whether it’s improving fine motor skills or boosting classroom confidence, this support just makes everyday a lot more manageable.
We asked over 100 parents, from Hackney to Hammersmith, about their trusted OTs for kids in London. It took a while, but after sifting through stories and recommendations, we were able to round up names that showed up multiple times across surveys.
Want to know who made it? Check it out.
How much does occupational therapy for kids in London cost?
The cost of occupational therapy for kids in London ranges from £70 to £200 per session. For assessments, the costs start at £400 and can go up to £1,000. Costs depend on the complexity of the case and the level of care required.
How we chose the best occupational therapists for kids in London
- Qualifications and expertise: We evaluated the therapists’ professional qualifications and specialist training in paediatrics. We also assessed their experience in working with children in clinics, schools, and hospitals.
- Range of services: We looked into the scope of services offered by each provider. This included assessments, types of therapy, and family coaching, among others.
- Facilities and resources: We examined the type of spaces and equipment available at each clinic. We looked for sensory rooms, adaptive tools, and child-safe spaces for therapies.
- Affordability and accessibility: We compared the cost of sessions across providers, assessing whether the rates are transparent and fair. We also considered whether the provider works with insurers, offers packages, or has flexible payment options.
1. Therapy4kids
Location: 189 Worple Rd, Raynes Park
Contact: +44 20 8605 2050
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Therapy4kids is the ideal choice for families looking into a comprehensive range of services. Offerings are broad, including many essential areas like occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and ADHD assessments.
Parents described the occupational therapy sessions as structured, goal-oriented, and adaptable. We also loved that they noticed how engaged the kids are, while still maintaining a good pattern for progress.
Another noteworthy area is that their therapists make it welcoming for parents to be involved. Families are empowered with strategies for home support, so they can easily carry out minor adjustments and progress at home.
We also loved that they prioritised creating tailored treatment plans for each kid. To achieve this, they conduct thorough assessments and take into account the child’s strengths and areas of difficulty.
Considering their individualised programs, it’s natural to expect that their rates are on the higher end. However, they lack a bit of transparency about their fees. This occasionally leads to billing concerns for a few families.
In general, though, the experience is issue-free.
Informative with a clear plan
“My 4 year son has been receiving occupational therapy at Therapy 4 Kids for over a year. Alice, his occupational therapist has been his number champion from the first day she met him. She’s been encouraging, informative with a clear plan for him, and supportive when my mum guilt and anxiety has built up. My son is always excited when I tell him that we’re “going to play with Alice today” and has progressed so much in his weekly sessions with her. I will forever be grateful that my son was paired with her.”
– Stephanie Stanley, Google Review
2. Sensational Kids Therapy and Training
Location: 93 Brighton Rd, Surbiton KT6 5NF
Contact: +44 20 8399 6565
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sensational Kids Therapy and Training is a fantastic spot for families seeking well-rounded therapies for kids. Key offerings include occupational therapy, therapeutic listening, and feeding therapy.
What makes them a great choice is that their therapists are highly skilled and experienced. Our team observed that they’re not only technically knowledgeable, but they’re also warm, approachable, and able to build trust.
We love the way their clinic is set up too. The environment is well-equipped for therapy, featuring sensory equipment, climbing walls, and ball pools. These options help keep the kids engaged while developing new skills.
We also appreciate the various therapy formats they offer. There are direct treatment sessions, group therapy, school-based services, and at-home support. This makes them a flexible choice for households with varying preferences and budgets.
As with most popular providers, new families may have difficulty getting new sessions due to the high demand. It’s not impossible, though, but it requires a lot of planning from the parents’ end.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff
“Wonderful helpful OT assessment for my daughter with some excellent strategies to help her at school; friendly and knowledgeable staff at the company.”
– Helen McCaw, Website
3. OT 4 Kids
Contact: +44 75 4011 3126
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM,
OT 4 Kids is a great place to access individualised, highly customised programs for occupational therapy. Their sessions focus on a child’s sensory, motor, and emotional needs to ensure a well-rounded approach.
Unlike traditional OT sessions, they focus on training and supporting parents directly. This allows families to apply strategies at home and in real-life situations. In this kind of approach, recovery is often faster and more effective.
We also liked the range of formats they offer for the therapies. Options include 1:1 patient consultations, parent group coaching, and workshops. There are also online programs, which is a major advantage for families seeking accessibility.
Above all, it’s the quality of work that makes them a cut above the rest. According to the families we interviewed, there are significant improvements worth noting. This includes better motor planning, anxiety management, and fine motor skills.
Because of their approach, it may appear less hands-on in structure – it also requires parents to take on a more active role in the therapy, which doesn’t always work for everyone.
Understands the sensory issues
“Munira has worked with my 11 year old asd son and I for almost 4 years. She’s been brilliant – particularly as she understands the sensory issues that underpin so many of my son’s challenges. She’s worked with us to put in place a programme that’s really helped to manage his anxiety and sensory seeking behaviours. He’s so much calmer now and so much more able to manage his anxiety. I really recommend her.”
– Catherine Hunt, Google Review
4. Kiki’s Children’s Clinic
Location: 124 Thurleigh Rd
Contact: +442074501708
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Kiki’s Children’s Clinic offers both physiotherapy and occupational therapy. In particular, they address conditions such as hypermobility, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, and sensory processing issues.
We find it valuable that they specialise in early intervention. Looking into their track record, they’ve successfully helped kids gain mobility, bilateral movement, and independence.
A great part of this success is their structure. In fact, according to the parents we interviewed, each program is tailored to the child’s needs. The therapists are also proactive in including the parents in the program.
Another thing we appreciate is the constant communication – something that we missed in a few of the places we’ve been to. Check-ins are conducted in between sessions. Therapists also follow up on strategies to see how well they are working.
While many parents said they felt they got their money’s worth, a few of them also said the prices are too high. Taking into account the scale of personalisation, we understand how this may be, though we also see how this is da eal breaker for most.
Kids are stronger and more stable
“Kiki has really helped our son become stronger and more stable. She has gotten so much out of him and he loves going. He has mild hypermobility and we feel his therapy is brilliant. She also does a bit of OT and sensory integration which has helped him loads. She s fantastic!”
– Bronia Rob, Google Review
5. STEPS & STRIDES Children’s Occupational Therapy
Contact: +44 73 4994 0529
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Steps & Strides offers a comprehensive range of services, including developmental screenings, ADHD coaching, and sensory integration therapy. Sessions are done by their skilled therapists to manage children’s OT needs.
One of their interesting offerings is that schools can book them for half-day or full-day embedded OT services, including therapy and assessments. This helps institutions reduce wait times and improve SEN provision.
Another noteworthy advantage is that they provide detailed and comprehensive OT reports. We like this for the value it offers – parents and schools can use these to secure support and funding for EHCP applications.
Transparent fees are also listed upfront, helping families budget better in the long run. Rates are competitive, with sessions starting at £70 and assessments starting at £250.
However, while the costs are competitive, it’s best to take note of travel surcharges that apply for home and school visits within Greater London. Surcharges cost £10 to £25, so for families needing regular sessions, this can add up to a big total.
Simple, manageable strategies
“I have really been struggling with my 7 year olds son’s behaviour- sensory overload and dysregulation for a very long time.
Perfect has guided me on how to use simple, manageable strategies that can support my son in these areas at home. Still early days but I can already see an improvement. Thank you so much Perfect!”
– Queen C ©, Google Review
