Meet the Team

Trudy Richards

Specialist Occupational Therapist

Trudy has worked as an Occupational Therapist for the last 17 years and provides assessments and interventions to help people achieve functional independence and quality of life. Trudy has worked with Psychology Associates since 2015, and specialises in children’s sensory processing and fine motor difficulties. Trudy has overseen the development of our sensory gym at our practice in Saltash and is an integral part of our multidisciplinary assessment team. Trudy has undertaken training in and uses Sensory Attachment Intervention (SAI) approaches which supports young people with historical trauma experience feelings of safety and improve their ability to self-regulate. Trudy’s extensive knowledge and skills makes her an effective and popular trainer. She also provides consultation to organisations and is keen to support others to understand and work with the sensory needs of young people.

As you may be aware, on the 14th April 2025 the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) announced changes to the Fair Access limit with a reduction of funding to £3000 and the discontinuation of the separate Fair Access Limit for specialist assessments.

We are currently working really hard to amend quotes for ongoing therapy work to fit within the new Fair Access Limit and working closely with Adopt South West and other local RAAs. We are also working closely with other specialist adoption support providers and therapeutic organisations including DDP connects and Theraplay UK to explore how we can continue to deliver specialist therapies within this limit.

If you are waiting for a new package of therapy please look out for correspondence from ASW or your regional adoption support agency, as they will need to regain your consent for the amended therapy contract.

If you are concerned about the impact of the delay on your family or have questions about the therapy or assessment you are waiting for please get in touch with Ellen or Jen and we will do our best to support you.

We will be contributing to a wider response to this and the following is a link to a petition requesting government action – Petition · Action Against ASGSF Changes (Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund) – United Kingdom · Change.org