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Specialist occupational therapy input for occupational health providers.

Occupational therapy can complement occupational health advice by providing a detailed functional assessment of the person, their work tasks and their working environment.

I can provide specialist occupational therapy input where a case requires more detailed analysis of work function, task demands, cognitive barriers, neurodivergent needs, ergonomic issues, fatigue, pain or practical return to work planning.

This may be helpful where an employee has complex functional difficulties, the workplace impact is unclear, or a standard occupational health opinion would benefit from more detailed practical recommendations.

Occupational therapy input may also be useful where there are concerns about attention, memory, organisation, processing speed, executive functioning, sensory needs, stamina, manual handling, posture, equipment, workstation set up or ability to sustain work demands.

My focus is on work participation, function and practical adjustment rather than diagnosis alone. I consider how the person manages the real demands of their role and what changes may help them work more safely, confidently and sustainably.

Reports can support occupational health providers, employers and managers by giving clear recommendations about reasonable adjustments, equipment, work routines, environmental changes, communication, workload management and review planning.

Carolyna Franklin Headshot

An experienced occupational therapist with over 25 years of clinical and professional experience across health, rehabilitation, case management and workplace settings.

I am an experienced occupational therapist with over 25 years of clinical and professional experience across health, rehabilitation, case management and workplace settings.
 
I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and regulated by the HCPC as an occupational therapist. I am a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and hold professional indemnity insurance through the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
 
I am also a member of the Association of Occupational Health and Wellbeing Professionals, known as iOH, and the Vocational Rehabilitation Association. These memberships reflect my professional interest in occupational health, workplace wellbeing, vocational rehabilitation and supporting people to remain in, return to, or participate meaningfully in work.
 
I engage in regular professional supervision in line with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ professional standards and code of ethics. This supports safe, reflective and evidence informed practice.
 
My work has included supporting people with physical disabilities, long term health conditions, neurological conditions, pain, fatigue, mental health challenges, trauma, sensory differences and neurodivergent profiles. I have worked with individuals whose health difficulties affect their ability to carry out everyday activities, remain in work, return to work, manage their role safely, or participate in the occupations that matter to them.
 
I bring a practical occupational therapy perspective to workplace health. This means I look beyond diagnosis alone and focus on how a person’s condition affects their actual day to day function.
 
My occupational health work includes workplace assessments, functional assessments, cognitive and neurodiversity related assessments, return to work planning, advice on reasonable adjustments, ergonomic recommendations, fatigue management, stress related work difficulties and support for managers where health is affecting work performance or attendance.
 
I have particular experience in helping employers understand how neurodivergence, mental health, cognitive differences, pain, fatigue and long term conditions may affect work. This may include difficulties with attention, memory, processing speed, organisation, planning, emotional regulation, sensory processing, stamina, confidence, communication, workload management and task completion.
 
I have also undertaken Functional Capacity Evaluation training, which supports a structured approach to assessing physical function, work capacity and the demands of a role. This helps me provide clear, practical recommendations about what a person may be able to manage safely, what may need to be adapted, and how work participation can be supported.
 
My approach is respectful, balanced and evidence informed. I aim to provide advice that is clinically meaningful, practical for employers and centred on the person’s functional needs.
Occupational Balance Consulting provides occupational therapy assessment and workplace advice. My role is to assess functional ability, work related barriers and practical support needs. I provide recommendations to help employers, HR teams, line managers, occupational health providers, case managers and rehabilitation professionals make informed decisions.
 
I am not an HR adviser and I do not replace the role of HR. However, I can work alongside HR managers by providing occupational therapy advice about how health, disability, neurodivergence, pain, fatigue, stress, cognitive difficulties or long term conditions may affect work function and participation.
 
I do not diagnose neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia. Where appropriate, I can screen for neurodivergent traits, cognitive differences and functional difficulties that may be affecting work. If diagnostic assessment is required, I will recommend referral to an appropriately qualified professional.
 
My recommendations are advisory. The employer remains responsible for deciding whether recommendations can be implemented, taking into account business needs, operational requirements, health and safety responsibilities, employment policies and legal advice where required.
 
Where relevant, I may comment on whether the functional impact described or observed appears likely to meet the Equality Act definition of disability. This is an occupational therapy opinion based on the available information and functional assessment. The final legal decision about disability status rests with an employment tribunal or court.
 
Occupational Balance Consulting is provided by an HCPC registered occupational therapist who works within professional standards, engages in regular supervision, and holds professional indemnity insurance through the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
 
The aim of my advice is to provide clear, practical and balanced recommendations that support safe, fair and sustainable work participation.
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