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Call for more information and costs or if you are enquiring for yourself or a family member you can use our online cost guide for individuals.

Access in & out of the home

Find out how we can help

Peace of mind to move in and out of your home safely & independently

Whether it be getting to the car, the garden, the shops or social activities, being able to access the world outside our home is important for both mental and physical wellbeing. When mobility is reduced, even otherwise simple journeys can become a challenge.

We assist many people facing all variety of difficulties to maintain their independence and access to their community. Our experience also helps ensure that the solutions we provide, as well as being practical and cost-effective, are the best possible aesthetic fit for a client's own home.

How OT's help

Help with access into and out of the home is one of the most common reasons our clients contact us. Whether for a temporary or more long-term solution, the following are examples of challenges we can address:

  • Steps and stairs leading to a property, whether via a communal or private entrance
  • Access to a town-based property from street level
  • External ramps which may be too steep or in a state of disrepair
  • Access to a garden or driveway
  • Risk of falling
  • Reduced confidence moving into and out of the home after illness, injury or a period in hospital

Our assessment process allows a specialised occupational therapist to identify all such problems, make recommendations to reduce them, and (if desired) arrange for any recommended changes to be made.

Our approach

Our aim is to provide flexible, practical and cost-effective solutions for accessing your home and community. Our assessment may involve looking at:

  • Your current and likely future levels of mobility, hand and shoulder function
  • The home environment, including your garden, driveway or street access
  • The layout and style of your property, including shared access areas
  • Any equipment that you currently or are likely to need in the future, such as frames, scooters or wheelchairs
  • Your own, your family's or carer's specific wishes and goals

Common recommendations

Some practical solutions that we may recommend to help you access your home include:

  • Grab rails at the front door
  • Hand rails on existing steps or stairs
  • Installation of smaller half-steps
  • Installation of ramps with gentle gradients that allow for walking, scooters or wheelchairs
  • Installation of stair or platform lifts

We can help with

If required we can also provide assistance with:

  • Sourcing suppliers - we work with companies nationally to ensure we always offer competitively-priced solutions
  • Arranging and managing lift representatives or builders who may need to visit your home
  • Reviewing plans with architects and builders to ensure that any changes to your home are right for you, both now and in the future

Public sector, charities and businesses

Is your organisation looking for professional OT services?

Find out more

Common conditions we help with

Find out more about how our OT’s can help by visiting our pages dedicated to specific conditions associated with home access difficulties.

Why The OT Practice

We recognise the importance of knowing that you are in safe hands. That is why, when you first make contact with us, you will straightaway be able to explain your concerns to a member of our client management team who will be able to provide relevant information about our services, answer any questions you may have and provide guidance on next steps. This dedicated team will then remain in charge of your case through any subsequent assessment and treatment we provide.

Other reasons to rely on The OT Practice include:

  • We visit you in your own home and at a time convenient to you and your family, and are happy to offer evening and weekend appointments
  • We do not have waiting lists and so can offer appointments within 7 working days of referral or sooner
  • Our extensive nationwide network of registered occupational therapists allows us to find you the right local therapist
  • We can provide ongoing support for as long as you need it
  • Our clear, fixed pricing system will be provided to you in writing for you to consider in your own time
  • Your occupational therapist will be a specialist in their field, with over 5 years' clinical experience including time in social services or NHS practice
  • Our team are well connected to networks of local and national equipment providers, stair lift and building companies

Your Clinical Services Manager

Victoria

Victoria

Snr Clinical Services Manager

Victoria, an experienced OT, is the Clinical Services Manager supervising the team looking after referrals from our case managers, solicitors and other professional clients.

Email the team

Services for businesses, organisations and the public sector

Local authorities

Our team provide individual or bulk assessments for local authorities looking to reduce waiting lists or ease pressure.

Find out more

Case managers

Comprehensive, goal orientated OT services for your clients in their own homes and community.

Find out more

Housing associations

Providing reports and recommendations for individual residents or working on large regeneration projects.

Find out more

Charities

Working with charities to provide reports and recommendations for grant funding applications.

Find out more

Construction companies

Individual or bulk housing assessments and recommendations for kitchen, bathroom or access projects.

Find out more

Care homes

We provide individual equipment recommendations or advice on environmental accessibility

Find out more

Next steps

Initial enquiry

During your initial call to us you can discuss your concerns with a member of our client management team, who will be able to understand what your difficulties are, provide information and advice on our services and identify the right OT from our team.

Quote

If therapist input is recommended, we will send you a detailed quote via email or in writing explaining what, after a full assessment, we would propose and how much it would cost, as well as rates for further work that might be recommended in the future.

Referral

Once you have had time to consider the options and costs, and if you would like to go ahead, the next step would be to fill in our online referral form. In the meantime, if you have further concerns or questions then our client manager will be happy to discuss them with you.

Assessment

Our therapist will then contact you within 24 hours to arrange a visit at your home. Normally this first visit will comprise a full assessment, after which you will receive a comprehensive written report.

Advice

The report will include a clear record of our findings and recommendations. These may include useful items you can buy or activities you can do independently, but they may also include more complex recommendations such as home adaptations or additional treatment by the occupational therapist. Where additional involvement is required, we will follow up the report with a detailed quotation so that you have all the information needed to make an informed decision.

As Private Occupational Therapists our aim is to provide choices and guidance to help you decide what the best options are for you

A few of our housing specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are specialists in assessing access needs and planning adaptations.

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Gemma

London - North, Bedfordshire

Gemma is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with a specialization in Housing and Equipment, Functional Rehabilitation, and Moving and Handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Claire

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Claire, an experienced Occupational Therapist based in Buckinghamshire in the South East of England, specializes in housing and equipment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Buckinghamshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access

Stephanie

Belfast, Antrim

OT Stephanie specialises in Functional and Neurological Rehabilitation, and Moving & Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland, Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Postural management, Splinting, TBI

Natalie

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Occupational Therapist Natalie specialises in rehabilitation, equipment provision, housing modifications, and paediatrics, supporting client independence through tailored assessments and interventions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Donna

Kent, South East of England

Working in Kent, Donna is a highly skilled OT specialising in Housing and Equipment interventions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care

Deanne

Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

Based just outside of Middlesbrough, Deanne is an Occupational Therapist specialising in Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Cleveland, Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Livonia

Northamptonshire, South of England

Livonia, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in housing and equipment, seating and postural management, and moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Emma

West Sussex, South East of England

Emma is an OT located in West Sussex, working with clients with housing needs in the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, West Sussex, Brighton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Postural management

William

Devon, West and South West of England

Based just outside of Exeter in Devon, William is an OT specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, TBI

Felice

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Based in Milton Keynes, Felice supports clients with rehabilitation and home adaptations following an injury or diagnosis.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, London - Central, London - North

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

Bethany

Staffordshire, East Midlands

Covering a large client base across the Midlands, Bethany is an expert OT who supports with rehabilitation and equipment provisions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, West Midlands, East Midlands , Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Rachel

Dorset, South of England

Rachel, an expert Occupational Therapist based in Hampshire, specialises in paediatrics and handwriting assessments and treatments and EHCPs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment

Sylvia

London

Covering North London and Hertfordshire, Sylvia specialises in Housing & Equipment, Functional Rehabilitation and Moving & Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Hertfordshire, London - Central, London - North, London - East

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Louise

Dorset, South of England

Specialising in mental health and cognitive impairments, Louise provides expert Occupational Therapy to clients across the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Alexis

Norfolk, East Anglia

Alexis provides Occupational Therapy services in Rehabilitation, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Paediatrics, and Neurological Rehabilitation across East Anglia.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, TBI

Michael

Merseyside, North West England

Housing & equipment, and functional rehabilitation OT Michael operates in the North West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Midlands, Flintshire, Wrexham

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Ergonomics

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Routine planning, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution

John

London

Based in London, experienced Occupational Therapist John assists adults with a range of physical and neurological health conditions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Postural management

Katie

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Katie is an expert OT specialising in Functional Rehabilitation. She provides holistic interventions for clients across Yorkshire & Lincolnshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Sarah

Devon, West and South West of England

Specialising in neuro-rehabilitation, Sarah is an OT based in Devon, working with clients following neurological trauma or diagnosis.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Postural management

Fran

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Working in the North East of England, Fran is a dedicated Occupational Therapist specialising in housing & equipment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, North Yorkshire, Newcastle upon Tyne

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Whitney

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Whitney is a skilled Functional Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist helping adults and older adults across East Anglia achieve their full potential.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Catherine

Oxfordshire, South of England

Based in Oxford, Catherine is an OT with over 15 years’ experience and particular expertise in Trauma and Orthopaedics.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

Georgia

London

OT Georgia has experience in vocational and functional rehabilitation, as well as expertise in seating and postural management.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Claire

London - North, Hertfordshire

Occupational Therapist Claire, with over 20 years of experience, specializes in housing and equipment as well as moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South of England, South East of England, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, London - North, London - West

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments

Liz

Cornwall, South of England

Based in Cornwall, Occupational Therapist Liz provides comprehensive, client-centred assessments in Neuro, Seating and rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Cornwall

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Lesley

Manchester, Greater Manchester

Lesley, an Occupational Therapist who qualified in 2008, specialises in housing and equipment, alongside moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Sherean

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Based in Buckinghamshire, Sherean delivers specialist housing & equipment and rehabilitation assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS, BIA

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Lucy

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Lucy delivers expert Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment assessments for clients across East Anglia.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Behaviour management, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration

Hayley

Norfolk, East Anglia

Hayley is an experienced OT who delivers expert Functional Rehabilitation to clients across East Anglia.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

Jessica

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Jessica provides expert Occupational Therapy services, specialising in adaptations, equipment, rehabilitation, mental health, and enhancing independence across diverse needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Swindon

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration, Mental Health

Client feedback

Further reading

Our news & press

How Can Occupational Therapy Help Reduce the NHS’s Bed Capacity Problem?

With the public sector currently in crisis, considering a deeper relationship between the private sector and the NHS is essential. Utilising the independent sector fully will significantly reduce the bed capacity challenges facing the NHS today.

Read more

Interested in Private Practice

Supporting Housing and Equipment OTs in Clinical Practice

Alongside The OT Practice is a network of 300 OT associates working in the community, and this number is continuing to grow. Find out how Di, our expert Housing and Equipment Clinical Lead, offers support to our therapists and the advice she has to offer to those considering private practice.

Read more