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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

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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Eve

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Eve is a highly experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist working with children across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

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

Carlie

Lancashire, North West England

Carlie is an expert OT based in Lancashire, providing specialist interventions for adults with Functional Rehabilitation needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Manchester, Salford

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Annabel

Kent, South East of England

Annabel is an expert OT with over 20 years’ experience in Housing & Equipment and Moving & Handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Self care

Natalie

Essex, East Anglia

Located in Chelmsford, Natalie is an experienced Neuro OT specialising in acquired brain injury and stroke.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Essex, Herefordshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care

Laura

Edinburgh, Edinburgh (City of)

Laura is an OT based in Edinburgh, delivering expert Housing & Equipment assessments across Scotland and the North of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Scotland

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Lucy

Middlesex, South East of England

Lucy is an experienced OT providing specialist assessments and interventions to clients with a range of neurological diagnoses.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation

Kirsten

West Lothian, Scotland

Kirsten is an OT based just outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. She specialises in Housing & Equipment and Moving & Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Borders, Clackmannan, Dundee (City of), East Ayrshire, East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow (City of), Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

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

Sam

Cheshire, North West England

Working in the North West and West Midlands, Sam is an expert OT specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Newport, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation

Denise

Liverpool, Merseyside

Based in Liverpool, Denise is a specialist OT with over 25 year’ experience, delivering Housing & Equipment assessments and interventions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside

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, PIPs, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care

Sue

Cardiff, Wales

Based in Cardiff, Sue specialises in Housing & Equipment and Moving & Handling assessments and interventions.

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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

Based in London, Debra is an experienced OT specialising in Housing & Equipment and Moving & Handling.

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

Bethan

Surrey, South East of England

An expert Occupational Therapist based in Surrey, Bethan specialises in Neurological Rehabilitation, Seating & Postural management, and Housing & Equipment.

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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

Tanya

Hertfordshire, South East of England

Tanya is an OT in Housing & Equipment and Moving & Handling, visiting clients across Hertfordshire, London, and East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South of England, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Northamptonshire, Suffolk

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Jennifer

Wrexham, Wales

Jennifer is an experienced OT based in Wrexham, providing clients across Wales and the North East with Functional Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Balance

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

Carien

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Based in Scotland, Carien provides expert Paediatric Occupational Therapy helping children with handwriting, sensory, and complex physical needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Cumbria, Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh (City of), Fife, Glasgow (City of), Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Lothian, Glasgow, Edinburgh

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, 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, Social integration

Jessica

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

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

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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

Jenny

Carmarthenshire, Wales

Based in Wales, Jenny is a highly skilled OT specialising in Housing & Equipment and Postural Management.

View profile

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

Collette

Lincolnshire, East Midlands

Specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation, Collette delivers expert Occupational Therapy to clients across the East Midlands and East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Emily

Cambridgeshire, East Midlands

Emily is a dedicated Occupational Therapist delivering holistic assessments and interventions across the East Midlands.

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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

Sharne

Hampshire, South of England

Sharne is an Occupational Therapist specialising in Functional Rehab as well as Housing & Equipment. Sharne visits clients across Hampshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, South East of England, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, West Sussex, Brighton, Southampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

Corinna

Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Corinna provides expert Occupational Therapy, helping adults with Housing & Equipment and Seating & Postural Management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

Rebecca

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Rebecca is an OT based in Leeds. She specialises in Functional Rehabilitation, supporting clients across the North West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Paula

Warwickshire, West Midlands

Paula is an expert Occupational Therapist, delivering specialist Functional, Neurological, and Vocational Rehabilitation to clients the Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, South East of England, Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care

Joanne

London - East, Essex

Based in London, Joanne is a specialist OT offering neurological rehabilitation for clients with acquired brain injury and neurological conditions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Community access

Helen

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Helen is an expert Hand Therapist, delivering specialist rehabilitation assessments and treatment across Nottinghamshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, East Anglia, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Nottingham

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Splinting

Xenia

Monmouthshire, Wales

Based in Wales, Xenia provides expert occupational therapy helping clients with neurological & vocational rehabilitation needs, including housing & equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Wales, Avon, Bristol, Devon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Newport, Cardiff

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care

Rachelle

The Vale of Glamorgan, Wales

Based in Glamorgan, Rachelle is an OT with over 20 years’ experience. She specialises in Housing & Equipment and Paediatrics.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, Learning disability

Helen

Hertfordshire, East Anglia

Helen is an experienced OT specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation and covers the London, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire areas.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, London - North

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

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

Sharon

London - South, South East of England

With over 30 years’ experience, Sharon is an expert OT specialising in Housing & Equipment and Seating & Postural Management.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent, London - Central, London - South

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Postural management

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