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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

Clinical Services Manager (Adults)

Victoria, an experienced OT, is the Clinical Services Manager supervising the team looking after adults cases, mainly working on referrals from case managers and solicitors.

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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Kate Louise

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Working in the North of England, Kate provides expert assessments and treatment plans to clients to help them gain independence.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Postural management

Debbie

Leicester, Rutland

Debbie is an expert neurological occupational therapist, delivering specialist rehabilitation and seating assessments to clients at home.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, Coventry, Leicester, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Visual perception

Meera

Hertfordshire, London

An expert in rehabilitation, moving & handling and housing & equipment, Meera visits clients in their home environment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, London - Central, London - North, London - West

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Self care, Postural management

Anne

Worcestershire, West Midlands

Qualifying in 1989, Anne specialises in functional, vocational and neurological rehabilitation and housing & equipment with adult clients.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Birmingham

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care

Bianca

Wiltshire, West and South West of England

Working in the South West with clients with a vast range of needs, Bianca is an expert in her field.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Avon, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Bristol

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Sacha

Wiltshire, South of England

Working across the south, Sacha is an expert Occupational Therapist providing housing adaptation advice and rehabilitation to her clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Joanne

Suffolk, East Anglia

Jo is an expert OT working with clients with neurological conditions in their own homes in East Anglia.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Self care

Carole

Fife, Scotland

Based in Fife, Carole provides expert occupational therapy helping adults with housing & equipment and rehabilitation needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Dundee (City of), East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Fife, 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

William

Somerset, West and South West of England

William is a highly regarded Occupational Therapist specialising in Neuro Rehab. He is based in the South West of England.

View profile

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

Jo

Cheshire, North West England

Based in Cheshire Jo works with adults with a range of difficulties to enhance their well-being and quality of life.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, 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, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Lucy

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Qualifying in 1999, Lucy specialises in seating & postural management, rehabilitation and housing & equipment for adults.

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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

Rachael

Southampton, Hampshire

Working with adults and children, Rachael is an expert occupational therapist based in Hampshire who supports clients in their homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Hampshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Anna

West Sussex, South East of England

An expert in neurological rehabilitation, Anna works with adult clients in Kent and London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, London - East, Brighton

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting

Emily

Cambridgeshire, East Midlands

Qualifying in 2009, Emily is a dedicated Occupational Therapist (OT) with a strong commitment to providing quality care.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Cambridgeshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Amie

Bristol, Somerset

Amie is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Neuro-Rehabilitation covering the Somerset, Bath & Bristol and West Wiltshire areas.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management

Jenny

Carmarthenshire, Wales

Based in Wales, Jenny provides expert occupational therapy to adults and children. She specialises in housing & equipment and seating.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Swansea

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, BOBATH, Train the trainer, Chailey Postural Management

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Wheelchair accreditation

Val

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Val is an accredited Best Interests Assessor, delivering specialist assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly, Bristol, Plymouth, Salford

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS, BIA, Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Counselling, DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Community access

Hazel

West Yorkshire, North West England

Working in the North East, Hazel provides expert care to clients with a wide rage of needs and conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, West Yorkshire, Manchester

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Counselling, PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sarah

West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Qualifying in 2007, Sarah specialises in seating & postural management, housing & equipment and rehabilitation for adult clients.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield, Hull

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Self care, Social integration

Caroline

Cardiff, Wales

Caroline is an Occupational Therapist from Wales, providing Housing & Equipment support to adults with a variety of functional needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Wales, Bristol, Herefordshire, Wiltshire, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Alice

Cumbria, North West England

Alice is an expert occupational therapist working with clients in their own homes across north west England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Dumfries and Galloway

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Community access, Anxiety management & relaxation

Sue

Cardiff, Wales

Trained in advanced manual handling techniques, Sue carries out assessments and therapeutic intervention with a range of clients.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Wales, Somerset, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Torfaen, Cardiff, Swansea

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

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

Debra

Middlesex, London

Qualifying in 2006, Debra specialises in housing & equipment, moving & handling and seating & postural management for clients.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

Catriona

London - South, London

Based in London Catriona is an expert Occupational Therapist, working with children with a range of conditions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England , London - South

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Chailey Postural Management

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Carolyn

Southampton, Hampshire

Working across Berkshire, Hampshire and London, Carolyn specialises in Neurological and Functional Rehabilitation and is an expert in her field.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, London - South, London - West, Southampton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care

Lisa

Derby, Derbyshire

Lisa works across the UK with adults and children with complex needs, supporting them to live as independently as possible.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, East Midlands, East Anglia, London, Ireland, Derbyshire

Specialisms

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

Chris

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Chris is an expert occupational therapist, having gained a PhD for a study investigating individuals with liver disease.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Suzanna

Flintshire, 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

Bethan

West Sussex, South East of England

An expert occupational therapist based in Surrey, Bethan specialises in neurological rehabilitation, seating & postural management and housing & equipment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, London - Central, Brighton

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Joanne

Manchester, Greater Manchester

Joanne is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in neurological rehabilitation, working with clients in their owns homes across Manchester.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Manchester

Specialisms

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

Client feedback

Further reading

Our news & press

Introducing Emma, Clinical Team Lead – Housing & Equipment

At the beginning of the year we announced our launch of ‘Specialist Clinical Teams for 2019’. For the first appointment of our clinical leaderships we introduce you to Emma, our Housing and Equipment team lead.

Read more

Our Experts' Blog

Case Study: Training

In this article Louise describes how she used training as part of her treatment programme with Rob during his rehabilitation following significant orthopaedic trauma. The case study brings to life how training can be an invaluable tool in a the rehabilitation journey.

Read more