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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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Joy

Derbyshire, East Midlands

Joy is an expert Occupational Therapist, delivering specialist rehabilitation and seating assessments to clients at home.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

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

John

London

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

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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

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

Cheryl

Wolverhampton, Staffordshire

Cheryl is a specialist Occupational Therapist with expertise in rehabilitation, housing adaptations, and equipment provision, promoting independence and safety.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Cheshire, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

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

Sharon

London - West, London

Sharon is an experienced Occupational Therapist in London, specialising in Housing and Equipment and Functional Rehabilitation for mental health conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Mental Health

Amy

Devon, West and South West of England

Located in Devon, Amy is an expert OT who provides specialist interventions for clients across the South-West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Self care, Postural management, TBI

Hazel

Cardiff, Cardiff

Cardiff, Newport and North Somerset based Occupational Therapist Hazel specialises in Seating and Postural, Housing & Equipment, Moving & Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, The Vale of Glamorgan

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Wheelchair accreditation, 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.

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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

Clare

Berkshire, South East of England

Qualifying in 2009, Occupational Therapist Clare specialises in Functional Rehabilitation, Housing and Equipment, and Seating and Postural Management.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South of England, South East of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, London - West, Swindon

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care, Social integration, Mental Health

Emma

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Specialising in rehabilitation, Occupational Therapist Emma provides services across Yorkshire, the Midlands, the North East and North West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield, Hull, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Mental Health

Lindsey

Ceredigion, Wales

Working across South Wales, Lindsey is an expert Occupational Therapist providing holistic assessments and treatment plans for her clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Powys

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Kate

Brighton, West Sussex

Kate is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in rehabilitation, housing adaptations, and equipment provision across Southern England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, East Sussex, West Sussex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Ebby

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Ebby provides expert Occupational Therapy, helping adults across Scotland with Functional Rehabilitation and Hand Therapy.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Argyll and Bute, Borders, Clackmannan, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Glasgow (City of), Inverclyde, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian, Glasgow, Edinburgh

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

Katherine

Dorset, South of England

Qualifying in 2004, Katherine is an experienced OT specialising in Paediatrics and Housing, providing tailored support across Dorset and Hampshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire

Specialisms

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

Katrina

Dorset, West and South West of England

Katrina is an experienced OT specialising in Housing & Equipment, Seating & Postural Management, and Moving & Handling for adults.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South of England, South East of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Southampton

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Leane

Birmingham, West Midlands

Leane, an Occupational Therapist in Birmingham, specialises in Housing & Equipment, Paediatrics, and Moving & Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West Midlands, Birmingham

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

Community access

Julie

Cheshire, North West England

Specialising in Functional and Neurological Rehabilitation, Julie is an Occupational Therapist based in Crewe, just south of Liverpool and Manchester.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Conwy, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, Liverpool, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

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

Cathy

Suffolk, East Anglia

Cathy is an experienced OT working in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire with adult clients with physical needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, London, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Suffolk, London - North

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Marta

Surrey, South East of England

Based in Surrey, Marta is a highly skilled OT who specialises in Neurological Rehabilitation and supports clients across the South-East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management

Stacey

Derby, Derbyshire

Stacey, an Occupational Therapist based in the East Midlands, specifically Derby and Derbyshire, specialises in housing and equipment, and rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Nottingham, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Catherine

London - South, Kent

Located in London, Catherine is an expert Occupational Therapist who supports adults of all ages with rehabilitation needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent, London - South

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Community access, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Louella

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Specialising in Housing & Equipment for adult and paediatric clients, Louella is a highly skilled OT based in Buckinghamshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Helen

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

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

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

Rose

Bedfordshire

Rose conducts assessments with clients, providing intervention to improve their safety and independence within their home environment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

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.

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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

Marie

Liverpool, Merseyside

Based in Merseyside, Marie provides expert neurological occupational therapy and rehabilitation to adults and children at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Conwy, Flintshire, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, Liverpool

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Janette

Liverpool, Cheshire

Janette, a specialist Hand Therapist, provides expert assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation for upper limb conditions across North West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Wales , Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation

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, TBI

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