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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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Roz

Edinburgh, Edinburgh (City of)

Occupational Therapist Roz specialises in housing, equipment, postural management, rehabilitation, and moving and handling, providing expert assessments across the Lothians.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, East Lothian, Fife, West Lothian

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Balance, Self care, Postural management, Dysphagia management, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sam

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Based in Northamptonshire, Sam is an OT with over 20 years of experience, specialising in rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Warwickshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Balance, Self care, Postural management

Alyssa

Plymouth, Devon

Alyssa is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in neurological rehabilitation, functional rehabilitation, and moving and handling across the South West.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Suzanna

Denbighshire, Wales

Suzanna is an expert Occupational Therapist based in Wales, specialising in Housing & Equipment, and Moving & Handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, Learning disability

Lydia

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Lydia, an Occupational Therapist based in Yorkshire, specialises in a comprehensive array of areas.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire , Leeds, Manchester, Wakefield

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Dysphagia management, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health, TBI

Mokter

London - East, Essex

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

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

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

Jennie

South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Jennie is a highly experienced OT based in Doncaster. She provides Functional and Neuro rehabilitation for adults across Yorkshire.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care

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

Yvonne

Wiltshire, West and South West of England

Qualifying in 1991, Occupational Therapist Yvonne provides expert Functional Rehabilitation, Moving and and Handling, and Housing and Equipment assessments.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South of England

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Learning disability

Donna

Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Donna is a dedicated occupational therapist based in Northern Ireland, specifically serving the Tyrone region.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Armagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Natasha

Kent, South East of England

With over two decades of experience, highly skilled Occupational Therapist Natasha provides specialised therapy services across South East England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, Sign Language, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Davinia

Birmingham, West Midlands

Functional and Vocational Occupational Therapist Davina works in the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West Midlands, Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Carole

Greater Manchester, North West England

Carole is an experienced Occupational Therapist, supporting clients across North West England with complex needs, home adaptations, and equipment provision.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Manchester

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

Temi

London - South, Kent

In her role as an Occupational Therapist, Temi specializes in housing and equipment, as well as moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent, London - South

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Mental Health

Wendy

Sheffield, Derbyshire

Wendy provides specialist Occupational Therapy services, focusing on rehabilitation, housing adaptations, seating, postural management, and complex condition management.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Derbyshire, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

Josie

Essex, South East of England

Josie is an OT providing expert Housing & Equipment assessments and recommendations across Essex and the South East.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Essex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Learning disability

Helen

Sheffield, Derbyshire

Helen is an experienced housing Occupational Therapist based in the North of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, Derbyshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, Wakefield, Nottingham, Hull, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby, Salford

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Harriet

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Harriet is an expert functional rehabilitation Occupational Therapist, delivering specialist assessments to clients in South East England and London.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Bedfordshire, London - North

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Daily living skills

Sian

Southampton, Hampshire

With over two decades of experience, Occupational Therapist Sian provides expert rehabilitation services across the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Southampton, Swindon

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Jan

London

Jan is an expert OT delivering specialist Neurological, Vocational, and Functional Rehabilitation to clients across London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Essex, London - Central, London - East

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, 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

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

Jenna

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Operating in the South of England, OT Jenna specialises in hand therapy, functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, and splinting

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Splinting

Lisa

London

In London and Surrey, Lisa, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in housing and equipment, moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Surrey

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Emma

Bristol, Avon

Emma, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in housing and equipment, vocational rehabilitation, moving and handling, and neurological rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Avon, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Bristol, Bath

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

Adele

East Sussex, South East of England

Adele, an experienced Occupational Therapist in South East England, specialises in Moving and Handling and Functional Rehabilitation, supporting diverse conditions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, East Sussex

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Balance, Self care

Jessica

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Jessica is a highly skilled Occupational Therapist who works with adults across the East Midlands area.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, TBI

Anne-Marie

London - South, Kent

Anne-Marie is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Moving and Handling, serving clients across London and surrounding areas.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent, London - South, London - East, Brighton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Daily living skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care

Carole

Fife, Scotland

Based in Fife, Carole provides expert occupational therapy helping adults with Housing & Equipment and Rehabilitation needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannan, Dundee (City of), East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Highland, Moray, Perthshire and Kinross, West Lothian

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Counselling, PIPs, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Self care, Social integration

Louise

Derby, Derbyshire

Based in Derby, Louise provides expert Occupational Therapy helping clients with Housing & Equipment and Neurological Rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, London, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Channel Islands, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

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