An Occupational Therapy approach to manage and promote bladder and bowel health

This seminar examines the role of Occupational Therapy in supporting bladder and bowel management, with a focus on promoting functional continence across everyday situations. The session outlines the occupational perspective on continence, highlighting how physical, cognitive, environmental, and psychosocial factors influence occupational performance.

Learners will explore how Occupational Therapists contribute to assessment, intervention, and collaborative working in bladder and bowel care. The seminar also provides an opportunity to reflect on current practice, identify individual learning needs, and consider areas for development to enhance confidence and competence in continence promotion. Key themes will support participants to recognise their role within multidisciplinary care and apply occupation-focused reasoning to continence management.

Objectives: 

• To discuss the role of Occupational Therapy in bladder and bowel management.
• Identify learning needs to increase confidence and competence in the promotion of functional continence.
  

Outcomes:

• To promote the role of Occupational Therapy in the management of bladder and bowel health.

About Lisa Norris: 
Lisa is an Occupational Therapist with over 25 years’ experience working with adults both in the acute settings as well as in the community, 19 years as a qualified Occupational Therapist. Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong commitment to the core values of Occupational Therapy, with a particular focus on enabling function, dignity, and independence.

She has a specialist interest in moving and handling and in addressing functional bladder and bowel continence issues, recognising the significant impact these areas have on occupational performance and quality of life. Her clinical practice emphasises practical, occupation‑centred approaches that support individuals to engage safely and meaningfully in everyday activities.

She is currently work as an Occupational Therapist at Adapt & Live, applying her experience to support individuals through assessment, intervention, and education.

24hr Posture & Activity Management (PAM): Practical Ways to Support Activity Every Day

A Clinical Scientist with over 20 years’ experience in paediatric disability recognises that, while the concept of postural management for children and young people with additional needs has existed for many years. More recently, there has been a strong shift toward encouraging children of all abilities to be active throughout their day, supporting their bodies as they grow and helping them reach their full potential.

This seminar explores how activity can be meaningfully integrated into postural management programmes, moving beyond the traditionally static “lying–sitting–standing” model. We will consider the essential roles that children, parents, and therapists play in shaping alignment, movement, and participation across the full 24 hours.

Participants will gain clear, practical guidance on 24hr PAM, along with a free 24 hour PAM printed resource that both families and therapists can start using straight away.

Assessment of the hip displacement in children with Cerebral Palsy

Karolina is a physiotherapist with over 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents. She specializes in treating patients with neurological and genetic conditions, combining knowledge, practice, and a modern approach to rehabilitation.

Standing in abduction and its application in children with cerebral palsy. When and how to correctly select a standing frame so that it provides the best possible protection for children’s hips. How does standing affect the functioning of the whole body and why is it important in the rehabilitation process.

The main goal is to draw attention to the topic of standing as an important element of therapy. In addition, early standing is important to reduce the likelihood of hip dislocation in later years of patients’ lives.

The main effect is to build awareness of standing and its importance. What impact does standing have on our body and when is it appropriate to use front standing and when is it appropriate to use rear standing for the user? Practical applications of stabilizing elements to achieve correct alignment and extension in the hip joint.

Sensory steps to toilet success

Skill development for toileting is challenging for many children and their families. Sensory issues often contribute to difficulties. This session will consider the skills required for toileting and adaptations to promote success with toileting for children with different learning and sensory needs. It will take a step-by-step approach to skill development and to managing any sensory differences so that children feel safe and supported while learning. Signposting to additional resources will be included.

Objectives:

• To promote toilet skill development
• To increase understanding of how sensory differences impact learning for toileting.
• To provide some strategies to assist families and professionals who support children with toilet learning. To signpost to resources that may offer support

Outcomes:

• Understand the skills required for successful toileting, and the impact that sensory differences make
• How to make adaptations
• Where to find sources of help so that families and professionals can support children, and that children reach their potential in this area of development

F-Words in the Bathroom: Using the ICF to Guide Bathroom Participation from childhood to sdulthood with physical disabilities.

Bathrooms are small spaces with big challenges for people with physical disabilities and those who support them. This session uses the F-Words for Child Development (Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, Future), grounded in the ICF framework, to reframe bathing and toileting as meaningful occupations that evolve from childhood into adulthood. Through case-based examples, attendees will explore how occupational therapy reasoning can anticipate transitions, protect dignity, and reduce carer strain.

Objectives:

• A clear understanding of the ICF and F-Words frameworks, applied to bathroom practice.
• How to reframe toileting and bathing as participation-focused occupations, not just hygiene tasks.
• How to link clinical reasoning to carer safety, postural support, and energy conservation.
• Practical case studies show how Etac Products can support bathroom participation from childhood to adulthood.

Outcomes: 

• A clear understanding of the ICF and F-Words frameworks, applied to bathroom practice.
• How to reframe toileting and bathing as participation-focused occupations, not just hygiene tasks.
• How to link clinical reasoning to carer safety, postural support, and energy conservation.
• Practical case studies show how Etac Products can support bathroom participation from childhood to adulthood.

Understanding behaviour as communication: moving away from the ‘Naughty label’

This seminar challenges the traditional view of ‘naughty’ behaviour by exploring how all behaviour communicates a need. Through an introduction to the ABCs of behaviour and the four-term contingency (antecedent, motivation, behaviour and consequence) participants will learn to identify what triggers and maintains certain behaviours, and how motivation and reinforcement shape learning. Using practical examples, the session will demonstrate how data-driven approaches help uncover the function behind behaviours of concern, shifting focus from punishment to proactive, positive strategies that teach meaningful alternatives and create supportive environments for lasting change.

Objectives:

• Understanding behaviour as a form of communication, rather than ‘naughtiness’.
• Introduce the ABCs of behaviour
• Build confidence in using data-informed observation to uncover the function of behaviour
• Equip participants with proactive, positive strategies that move away from punishment and support meaningful alternatives. 

Outcomes: 

• Learn how to identify the needs or motivations that behaviours may be expressing.
• Apply the ABC framework to analyse behaviours of concern in real-world settings.
• Identify the function of behaviour using observation and data-informed thinking, rather than relying on labels or assumptions.
• How to select proactive, positive responses that support learning, reduce distress and encourage meaningful alternative behaviours. 

About Matt Malone: 
Leading outreach initiatives to support education sector professionals in improving provision for young people with Autism. Delivering comprehensive training programs both online and in-person to generate better outcomes for students and staff.

Breaking the Cycle: Challenging Assumptions in Seated Posture

Seated posture is often shaped by assumptions that go unchallenged, leading to interventions that manage presentation rather than identify the dominant driver. This session examines how destructive positioning cycles develop when assessment stays at surface level, and why clinicians must look deeper to understand the factors influencing posture, tolerance, function, and health. Using practical examples, it will show how therapists can act as postural detectives by asking better questions, getting hands-on, and challenging common assumptions. It will also reinforce the influence clinicians have in recognising wider health implications and advocating for seating decisions that are truly holistic, effective, and person-centred.

Objectives:

• Challenge common assumptions in seated posture that influence clinical decision-making.
• Explore how destructive positioning cycles develop when clinicians respond to presentation rather than underlying drivers.
• Examine the value of deeper clinical reasoning through questioning, observation, and hands-on assessment.
• Highlight the wider impact of posture on health, and the clinician’s role in influencing holistic seating decisions and advocacy.

Outcomes: 

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Recognise common assumptions in seated posture that can lead to ineffective or harmful decisions.
2. Explain why visible presentation may not reflect the dominant driver of postural difficulty.
3. Identify opportunities to adopt a more investigative, hands-on approach in everyday practice.
4. Describe the clinician’s role in recognising broader posture-related risks and advocating for more effective intervention.

About Rebecca Dunstall: 
Over 15 years’ experience specialising in learning disabilities across the NHS and private sector, with postural care at the core of my practice. As Clinical Specialist at CareFlex, leads on clinical education and therapist support nationally, with a strong commitment to promoting the vital role of specialist seating in 24-hour postural care.

Access to Work

This seminar will help attendees understand how the Access to Work scheme can support young people with disabilities or health conditions as they transition into employment. It explains employer responsibilities, how to identify workplace support needs using the Health Adjustment Passport, and how to apply for Access to Work grants. Attendees will gain practical knowledge to help advocate for someone’s needs and ensure they receive the right support to thrive in the workplace.

Objectives:

• Raise awareness of the support available through the DWP’s Access to Work programme for individuals with disabilities or health conditions.
• Explain employer responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 relating to reasonable adjustments.
• Introduce the Health Adjustment Passport (HAP) as a tool to help individuals identify and communicate their workplace support needs.
• Outline the Access to Work application process, including eligibility criteria and what to expect.
• Empower parents and carers to advocate for young people transitioning into employment by understanding available support options.
• Provide practical examples of workplace adjustments and funded support through Access to Work.
• Encourage early engagement with employers and support services to ensure smooth transitions into work.

About Ken Lawton: 
Since joining DWP in 2012, Ken has always worked in supported people with disabilities and health conditions. He also leads on stakeholder engagement within the Armed Forces and veterans’ community.

Ken delivers tailored sessions to stakeholders supporting them to better navigate the disability services benefit and grant customer journeys, recognising the unique and often complex needs people with disabilities and conditions have.

Ken was recently honoured for his work with veterans and vulnerable people , being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2025 Honours List.

Unleashing the Power of Language with AAC

Language is more than words; it’s how we connect, learn, grow, and stay safe. For many disabled children and adults, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is the key that unlocks this vital part of being human. In this session, we’ll explore how AAC can bring language to life for those who cannot always rely on speech. We’ll discuss why language access is not a luxury, but a fundamental right, one that empowers individuals to express who they are, build relationships, and navigate the world on their own terms.

Objectives:

• To highlight the fundamental importance of language access as a human right for AAC users.
• To demonstrate how AAC supports language and communication across all stages, from foundational to advanced expression.
• To introduce innovative AAC tools and AI features.
• To inspire attendees to advocate for inclusive communication strategies in their own settings.

Outcomes: 

Understand the difference between ‘speech’, ‘language’, and ‘communication’. Explore examples of how language assists personal development, safety, and connection. Identify key features of AAC systems that support both emerging and advanced communicators. Describe how AI technology is being used within AAC tools to enhance user expression and independence. Apply principles from the session to better support individuals on their AAC journey in educational, clinical, or caregiving contexts.

About Becky Fry:
BSc in Speech and Language Therapy. Registered Healthcare Professional (HCPC) and member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). Smartbox Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Understanding the SEND White Paper

We will look at what changes are proposed, how they are different to the current system, the impact on EHCPs, the SEND legal framework and the implications for future legal challenges

To gain a clearer understanding of the proposed changes and their impact on children’s legal rights. This includes the likely risks and challenges, with a particular focus on the legal and practical implications.

Attendees will be able to engage with the consultation on the white paper and contribute their own views and concerns