In a nutshell: Private paediatric occupational therapy (OT) sessions in the UK typically cost between £70 and £130 per session. Initial assessments range from £200 to £450. Sensory integration therapy is usually at the higher end because it requires specialist training and equipment. There are several ways to help fund therapy, including DLA, EHCP provision, and grants.
Private OT Costs at a Glance
Here is a quick overview of what you can expect to pay in 2026. These are typical UK ranges — costs vary by region, therapist experience, and specialism.
| Service |
Typical Cost |
Notes |
| Initial assessment | £200–£450 | 1.5–3 hours, usually includes written report |
| OT session (45–60 min) | £70–£130 | Standard paediatric OT session |
| Sensory integration session (Ayres SI) | £90–£140 | Requires specialist training and equipped clinic |
| Sensory integration assessment | £300–£500 | Full Ayres SI assessment with detailed report |
| Block of 6 sessions | £400–£700 | Many therapists offer block discounts of 10–15% |
| Written report (for EHCP/tribunal) | £250–£450 | Detailed report with recommendations and costings |
| School visit / observation | £250–£450 | Half day including observation, write-up, and travel |
| Attendance at EHCP meeting / tribunal | £450–£800+ | Full day rate including preparation and travel |
What Does a Paediatric OT Do?
Before we dive deeper into costs, it helps to understand what you are paying for. Paediatric occupational therapists help children develop the skills they need for everyday life — the "occupations" of childhood, which include playing, learning, self-care, and socialising.
A paediatric OT might work on:
- Fine motor skills — handwriting, using scissors, doing up buttons and zips, using cutlery
- Gross motor skills — coordination, balance, climbing, ball skills, body awareness
- Sensory processing — helping children who are over-sensitive or under-sensitive to sensory input (touch, sound, movement, taste, smell, visual input)
- Self-care skills — dressing, washing, toileting, feeding independently
- Attention and concentration — strategies for staying focused in class
- Emotional regulation — managing big emotions, coping with transitions, reducing anxiety
- Visual perception — skills needed for reading, writing, and navigating the environment
For a full guide to paediatric OT, see our what is occupational therapy for children guide.
Sensory Integration Therapy: Why It Costs More
If your child has sensory processing difficulties — which is very common for autistic children — you may be looking specifically at sensory integration (SI) therapy. This is a specialist area of OT, and it tends to cost more. Here is why.
What is Ayres Sensory Integration?
Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) is a specific, evidence-based approach developed by Dr A. Jean Ayres. It involves the child actively engaging with sensory-rich experiences in a specially equipped clinic — typically with swings, trampolines, ball pits, textured surfaces, and other sensory equipment. The therapist guides the child through activities that challenge and develop their sensory processing abilities.
Why it costs more
- Specialist training — therapists need extensive post-graduate training in Ayres SI (usually a minimum of 3 modules plus supervised practice). Not all OTs have this training
- Specialist equipment — a sensory integration clinic requires significant investment in suspended equipment, climbing structures, and sensory materials. Maintaining this equipment also costs money
- Clinic space — SI therapy requires a large, specially designed space, which means higher overheads
- Sessions are direct and 1:1 — SI therapy requires the therapist to be actively engaged with the child throughout, adjusting the challenge in real time
Sensory integration cost breakdown
| Service |
Typical Cost |
Duration |
| Sensory screening assessment | £150–£250 | 1–1.5 hours |
| Full Ayres SI assessment | £300–£500 | 2–3 hours assessment + report writing |
| SI therapy session (60 min) | £90–£140 | Weekly recommended for best outcomes |
| SI therapy block (6 sessions) | £500–£750 | Usually over 6–8 weeks |
Most therapists recommend a minimum of 20-30 SI therapy sessions (approximately 6-8 months of weekly therapy) to see meaningful, lasting change. At £90-£140 per session, that is a total investment of roughly £1,800 to £4,200. It is a significant commitment, which is why exploring funding options is so important.
What Affects the Cost of OT?
Location
As with most therapy services, costs are highest in London and the South East. A standard OT session in central London might cost £110-£130, while the same session in the Midlands or North might be £70-£90. Kent tends to fall somewhere in the middle, typically £80-£110 per session.
Experience and specialism
A newly qualified OT will generally charge less than one with 10-15 years of specialist paediatric experience. Therapists with additional qualifications — such as Ayres SI certification, handwriting specialist training, or expertise in specific conditions — may charge more.
Session format and location
- Clinic-based sessions — usually the standard rate. If the clinic has specialist equipment (particularly for SI therapy), this is often the best option
- Home visits — typically £15-£30 more per session to cover travel time and costs
- School visits — similar additional charges to home visits. However, seeing a child in their school environment can be valuable for understanding their functional difficulties
- Online sessions — can be slightly cheaper and work well for some aspects of OT (parent coaching, programme planning, review sessions), but most hands-on OT and all sensory integration therapy needs to be face to face
NHS vs Private OT: What You Need to Know
|
NHS OT |
Private OT |
| Cost | Free | £70–£130 per session |
| Waiting time | 6–18 months typical, sometimes longer | Days to weeks |
| Frequency | Often limited blocks or one-off assessment | You choose — weekly, fortnightly, etc. |
| Sensory integration | Rarely available on NHS | Available from specialist OTs |
| Written reports | Brief, functional focus | Detailed reports for EHCPs and tribunals |
| Continuity | May see different therapists | Same therapist each time |
The NHS OT reality
NHS paediatric OT services are under enormous pressure. In many areas, the reality is:
- Long waiting lists — 6 to 18 months or more. Some areas have effectively closed their waiting lists to new referrals at times
- Limited direct therapy — many NHS OT services now operate a consultation or indirect model, where the therapist assesses the child and provides advice to parents and schools, but does not deliver ongoing direct therapy
- No sensory integration therapy — very few NHS services offer true Ayres SI therapy. They may offer "sensory strategies" or a "sensory diet" programme, but this is not the same as clinic-based SI therapy
- Focus on functional outcomes — NHS services tend to prioritise the most urgent functional needs (e.g. a child who cannot hold a pencil) rather than broader sensory or developmental goals
This does not mean NHS OT is bad — the therapists are highly skilled and do excellent work within their constraints. But the constraints are real, and many families find they need private OT to get the frequency, specialism, or evidence they need.
How to Fund Private OT
1. Use DLA to help cover costs
If your child receives Disability Living Allowance, you can use it towards therapy costs. DLA is not ring-fenced — you can spend it on whatever best supports your child. The 2026-27 DLA rates are:
- Care component: lowest £30.30/week, middle £76.70/week, highest £114.60/week
- Mobility component: lower £30.30/week, higher £80.00/week
If your child receives middle-rate care DLA (£76.70/week), that is over £330 a month — enough to cover 3-4 OT sessions. For guidance on claiming DLA, see our DLA guide for autistic children.
2. Get OT written into your child's EHCP
If your child has an EHCP, occupational therapy should be specified and quantified in Section F (educational provision) if it is needed for educational purposes. Many OT needs do have an educational impact — handwriting, sitting in class, managing sensory overload in the classroom, self-care at school.
When OT is in Section F, the local authority has a legal duty to provide and fund it. The provision must be specific — for example, "One hour of direct 1:1 occupational therapy per week, delivered by a qualified HCPC-registered occupational therapist with training in sensory integration." Vague wording is not enforceable.
A private OT report is powerful evidence for an EHCP application, typically costing £250-£450. This investment can secure OT provision worth thousands of pounds per year.
3. Apply for grants
Several charities and organisations offer grants to help families pay for therapy:
- Family Fund — grants for families on low income with disabled or seriously ill children
- Caudwell Children — provides funding for therapy and equipment
- The National Autistic Society — can sometimes signpost to funding sources
- Local charities and Rotary clubs — many areas have local trusts that fund children's therapy
- Direct payments from social care — if your child receives social care support, direct payments can sometimes fund therapy
For a more comprehensive list, see our SEND grants guide.
4. Block discounts and other savings
- Block booking — many therapists offer 10-15% off when you book 6+ sessions upfront
- Online parent coaching — some therapists offer cheaper online sessions focused on teaching you strategies to use at home, alternating with face-to-face therapy sessions
- Group sessions — some OTs run small group sessions (e.g. handwriting groups or social skills groups) which are cheaper per child than 1:1 therapy
- Sliding scale fees — some therapists offer reduced rates for families on low income. Always worth asking
- Student clinics — some universities with OT training programmes offer low-cost or free therapy provided by students under supervision
Finding a Paediatric OT
When looking for a private paediatric OT, check these essentials:
- HCPC registration — this is a legal requirement for anyone calling themselves an occupational therapist. Check the HCPC register online
- RCOT membership — membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists shows commitment to professional standards
- Paediatric experience — make sure the therapist specialises in working with children. OT covers a very wide range, and an adult OT will not have the right skills for your child
- Relevant specialism — if your child needs sensory integration therapy, check the therapist has completed Ayres SI training (at least the core modules). You can check with Sensory Integration Education (SIE)
- DBS checked — essential for anyone working with children
- Professional indemnity insurance
Where to search:
Questions to Ask About Fees
Before booking, ask these questions so there are no surprises:
- What is the cost of an initial assessment, and does it include a written report?
- What is the cost per therapy session, and how long are sessions?
- Do you offer sensory integration therapy? If so, what additional training do you have?
- Do you offer block booking discounts?
- Is there an additional charge for home or school visits?
- How much does a written report cost for an EHCP or tribunal?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Do you offer online sessions for any aspects of therapy?
- Do you offer reduced rates for families on low income?
- How often would you recommend sessions, and for how long?
Is Private OT Worth the Money?
This depends entirely on your child's needs and your family's circumstances. Here are some things to consider:
- If sensory processing is the main issue, private OT may be the only option. NHS services rarely offer true sensory integration therapy. If your child has significant sensory processing difficulties, private SI therapy may be the most effective intervention available
- For EHCP evidence, a private OT report can pay for itself many times over. A report costing £300 can secure OT provision in an EHCP worth thousands per year
- An assessment alone can be transformative. Even if you cannot afford ongoing therapy, a good OT assessment will tell you what is driving your child's difficulties, give you practical strategies to use at home and school, and provide evidence for an EHCP. Many parents say understanding their child's sensory profile was worth the assessment cost alone
- School-based OT goals can be carried out by a TA. A private OT can assess your child, create a programme, and train school staff to deliver it. This means you might only need monthly OT review sessions (rather than weekly direct therapy), bringing costs down significantly
Key Takeaways
- Standard OT sessions cost £70-£130 depending on location and experience
- Sensory integration therapy is £90-£140 per session because of specialist training and equipment
- Initial assessments are £200-£450 and usually include a written report
- A full SI assessment costs £300-£500 and provides a detailed sensory profile
- DLA can help fund therapy — it is not ring-fenced and many families use it this way
- Get OT into your EHCP Section F to make the local authority legally responsible for funding it
- Grants are available from Family Fund, Caudwell Children, and local charities
- Block discounts, parent coaching, and group sessions can all help reduce costs
- Always check HCPC registration — and for SI, check Ayres SI training
Useful Resources
This is not financial advice. Costs shown are typical ranges based on 2026 prices and may vary by location, therapist, and service. Always confirm fees directly with the therapist before booking. Every child's needs are different — an OT can advise on the type and frequency of therapy that would be most beneficial.
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