MEET THE LUCY BATES TEAM
Get to know the amazing therapists that make up our Occupational Therapy Collective...
MEET OUR FOUNDER,
LUCY BATES
“Welcome to Lucy Bates OT Collective. We are a neuro-affirming collective of Occupational Therapists who are passionate about working collaboratively with children, young people and families. Send us a message and lets see how we can help make the everyday happier.”
Lucy qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2005 and left the NHS in 2013 and decided to set up her own independent practice to allow her to work holistically with children and families. Prior to leaving the NHS Lucy worked in a number of local NHS trusts including the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Since 2013 Lucy has been able to work in a wide range of settings including mainstream and specialist schools, nurseries and children’s homes.
Lucy has a wealth of experience working with children and young people with a wide range of needs including physical challenges, such as brain injury, muscular conditions and medical difficulties, as well as children with neurodiverse conditions including autism, ADHD and Developmental Co-ordination Disorder/Dyspraxia.
Lucy has completed a wide range of post graduate training courses and is a Sensory Integration practitioner. She has also received training in trauma, SCERTs, Lego therapy, sleep, SOS feeding therapy, Rebound Therapy and Makaton.
Alongside her independent practice, Lucy also works as a clinical director at The Feeding Trust, the UK charity for Paediatric Feeding Disorder.
Outside of work, Lucy is a Mom to two children and enjoys being active including running and cycling.
NICOLA NIKOLAOU
Nicola obtained her Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy at York St. John University, York.
She has experience working with children and young people in a variety of settings including clinics, mainstream and SEN schools.
Nicola’s clients include children and young people with a variety of needs and conditions including Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Downs Syndrome, Global Developmental Delay, Profound and Multiple Learning Disability (PMLD) Developmental-Coordination Delay (DCD)/Dyspraxia, Sensory Processing Difficulties and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
Nicola also has experience in administering a range of standardised assessments such as the Beery VMI, Movement ABC, BOT-2, Sensory Profile and DASH, as well as various school-based assessments.
She takes a holistic and integrated view when working with children and young people and aims to ensure that her therapy is meaningful and child centred. Nicola is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapist.
In her free time, she enjoys exploring nature with her miniature dachshund, reading and experiencing new cultures whilst travelling.
ELLIE STEER
Ellie has over 7 years’ experience working as an Occupational Therapist across different fields.
She has worked for the NHS and independently, including working for a charity that supports families with young people who have special needs and disabilities. Ellie has practiced in Manchester and Birmingham and now works with families and young people UK-wide.
Ellie began her career in Acute Adult Mental Health, then moved to work with children and young people in CAMHS.
She has always had a passion for supporting children and young people with special needs and disabilities, so decided to move into the field of Paediatrics.
She has experience working with the local authority, setting up an innovative SEND team to support families and young people to access school.
Ellie is a qualified sensory integration practitioner and focuses much of her work around supporting children and young people’s sensory needs. She has worked with many clients who have Autism, ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, Dyspraxia and Emotional Regulation Difficulties. A large part of Ellie’s role over the years has been upskilling education professionals through training workshops and modelling, to support the sensory needs of the children and young people they work with.
In her free time Ellie enjoys Salsa, Latin and Ballroom dancing and has won awards dancing at Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
CHARLOTTE HUNTER
Charlotte is a passionate Occupational Therapist with a specialisation in Paediatrics, Mental Health, Attachment, Trauma, Sensory Processing and Regulation. Her approach integrates therapeutic techniques with a deep understanding of each child’s unique needs.
In addition to her clinical work, Charlotte is also a certified yoga teacher, which enriches her practice by promoting mindfulness and holistic wellbeing. Outside of work, Charlotte finds joy in exploring the outdoors, savouring good food, and soaking up the sun. Her diverse interests help her bring a balanced and empathetic perspective to her therapeutic practice.
ANNA BARNETT
Anna is a qualified Occupational Therapist (OT) and member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) and the Children, Young People and Families Specialist section. She has completed Postgraduate training in sensory integration and is also trained in the use of the SOS Approach to Feeding. Anna has completed other courses related to her area of work, such as Therapeutic Gardening and the introduction to DIR Floortime; connecting through play.
Anna has worked in a variety of community, school, and clinical settings, for NHS, independent and charity sectors. She currently works at The Feeding Trust charity as part of a multi-disciplinary team assessing and treating children and young people with paediatric feeding disorder (PFD) as well as working as an Associate Occupational Therapist.
Her experience includes working with children and young people with varying needs, in physical health (brain injury, muscular and genetic conditions) neurodiversity (Autism, Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder and Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia) and with people with social and emotional mental health needs. Anna is passionate about supporting people to access their meaningful occupations, whatever challenges they may face.
Outside of being an enthusiastic OT, in her spare time Anna loves creative activities such as jewellery making and pottery as well as spending time with family, friends and her curly dog, Darcey.
WANT TO BE PART OF THE COLLECTIVE?
GET IN TOUCH...
The Lucy Bates Collective is always looking for enthusiastic individuals to add to our team. For more information get in touch below...
WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Children’s OT’s focus on helping their young clients develop skills they need to thrive in life including; self care, play, social interaction and school tasks. They use a variety of techniques and interventions tailored to each child’s needs.
