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Personal care & dressing

Find out how we can help

Restoring independence and dignity through practical advice and solutions

We aim to restore the skills needed for essential personal care tasks such as washing and dressing after these are impaired by accident, illness or advancing age.

Working collaboratively with clients to identify their goals for each day, we help to break these down into manageable steps and integrate them into a daily routine. We are also experts at adapting bathrooms so that they remain a safe and accessible space designed to accommodate changing needs.

How OT's help

Occupational therapists are highly skilled at assisting people challenged by the everyday tasks involved in washing and dressing, helping them to remain in their own home for as long as possible.

Some of the most common reasons for seeking our help include:

  • Reducing the risk of falling or getting stuck when using the bath, shower or toilet
  • Ensuring the bathroom can be reached quickly when necessary
  • Coping with difficulties in standing or maintaining posture for a sufficient length of time
  • Learning new techniques of personal care after brain, spinal or orthopedic injuries
  • Managing the effects of progressive neurological conditions
  • Adapting bathrooms to ensure they remain accessible despite reduced mobility or coordination

Our assessment process allows a specialist occupational therapist to identify exactly the personal care problems facing a client so that we can provide the best possible practical advice, as well as instruction in new techniques of personal care appropriate to their circumstances. We can also recommend adaptations or equipment that would help them and (if desired) arrange for its installation.

Our approach

Our aim is to provide practical and cost-effective solutions to maximise your independence and reduce any risks. Our OT assessment may involve looking at:

  • Your medical history and current prognosis
  • Current and future levels of mobility, hand and upper limb function
  • Difficulties with fatigue, concentration or memory
  • Changes to your daily routine
  • Your home environment, especially its layout in key rooms
  • The height and location of bathroom furniture
  • Accessibility of stairs
  • Your own, your family's or carer's goals and wishes for the future

Common recommendations

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

  • Small aids to help in day-to-day activities, such as grab rails or dressing aids
  • Larger pieces of equipment, such as beds, chairs or hoists
  • Mobility or walking aids, including ramps, wheelchairs or frames
  • Stair lifts or through-floor lifts
  • Other adaptations to your home, especially kitchens, bathrooms and toilets
  • Everyday techniques to maximise your independence and reduce risks around the home

We can help with

If required we can also provide assistance with:

  • Sourcing alternative suppliers and quotations - we work with companies nationally to ensure we always offer competitively-priced solutions
  • Dealing with representatives who may need to visit your home
  • Setting up and training you or your carers in the safe use of equipment
  • Reviewing plans with architects and builders to ensure any changes are right for you now and in the future
  • Supporting you in returning home following a hospital stay

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 personal care & dressing 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

Case managers

We help your client's achieve optimum independence through assessment, treatment & advice.

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Healthcare concierge

Assessment and treatment services for clients in their own homes both in the UK and internationally.

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Solicitors

We provide solicitors with professional reports for educational tribunals or rehabilitation needs.

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 rehabilitation specialists

Meet a selection of our occupational therapists who are experienced in helping maximise independence with personal care and dressing.

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Kelly

Kent, South East of England

Kelly is a Kent based Occupational Therapist working with adult and elderly clients in their own homes across the south-east.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Self care

Sharon

London - South, Kent

Sharon covers South London, Kent, Croydon & Bromley and has a special interest in housing adaptions, seating & postural management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Postural managemen

Laura

Warwickshire, South East of England

Trained in advanced postural management and rehabilitation techniques, Laura provides expert occupational therapy to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, London, South of England, South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Warwickshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care

Charisse

London - East, Essex

Qualifying in 2012 Charisse is an expert occupational therapist working with clients in London and Essex in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Essex, London - North, London - East

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Carien

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Based in Scotland, Carien provides expert paediatric 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

Salma

London - East, Middlesex

Working in London & Kent Salma is an expert occupational therapist working with clients with rehabilitation and manual handling needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care

Jane

Wiltshire, South East of England

Qualifying in 2000, Jane specialises in housing & equipment, rehabilitation and seating & postural management for adults and children.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Anne

Worcestershire, West Midlands

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, 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

Morag

Edinburgh, West Lothian

An expert occupational therapist based in Edinburgh, Morag specialises in rehabilitation, moving & handling and housing & equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Borders, Clackmannan, East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Midlothian, Perthshire and Kinross, West Lothian, Edinburgh

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural managemen, Anxiety management & relaxation

Karen

London - East, Surrey

Located in Essex and working across London & the South East, Karen delivers specialist assessments and treatment to her clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Jane

Kent, South East of England

Jane is based in Kent and is a highly skilled OT, working with clients in their own homes.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Self care

Laura

Manchester, North West England

Laura provides expert occupational therapy to clients in their own homes in Manchester and the surrounding areas.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

Eve

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Eve is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist working with children in the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire areas.

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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

Hannah

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Qualifying in 2010, Hannah specialises in seating & postural management, housing & equipment and rehabilitation for children and adults.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester, Wakefield, Hull

Specialisms

Paediatrics, 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, Sensory integration, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

Kirsty

Glasgow, Glasgow (City of)

An expert occupational therapist, Kirsty works with children with a range of conditions in West Scotland in their own environments.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Counselling

Lynn

South Lanarkshire, Scotland

Lynn is an expert physiotherapist, delivering specialist assessments to adults and children in their home environment.

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Profession

Physiotherapy

Regions covered

Scotland, East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow (City of), Midlothian, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perthshire and Kinross, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, Balance, Postural managemen, School Based Therapy/Support

Rachel

London - North, Middlesex

Specialising in neurology and neuro rehabilitation, Rachel is an expert OT working with clients in London & the Home Counties.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North, London - East

Specialisms

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

Sara

Brighton, West Sussex

Based in Brighton, Sara provides expert occupational therapy to adult clients. She has completed a Masters in Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, South East of England, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, Brighton

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration

Pippa

Surrey, South of England

Working in Berkshire and the surrounding areas, Pippa provides expert care to clients in the own homes and workplaces.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care

Helen

Nottingham, West Midlands

Trained in advanced hand therapy techniques, Helen delivers specialist rehabilitation assessments and treatment to clients at home.

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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

Suzanne

London - North, Hertfordshire

Based in Essex, Suzanne provides expert Neurological Occupational Therapy across Essex, Hertfordshire and North London to clients in their homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Essex, Hertfordshire, London - Central, London - North, London - East

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

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

Sarah S

Southampton, Hampshire

Sarah works with clients across Hampshire and provides detailed assessments and treatment plans to clients in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Hampshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration

Joanne

Manchester, Greater Manchester

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Manchester

Specialisms

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

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

Helen

London - North, Hertfordshire

Helen is an experienced occupational therapist specialising in the field of neurology and covers the London, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire areas.

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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 managemen, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation

Ali

Sheffield, West Yorkshire

Trained in advanced Bobath techniques, Ali provides expert occupational therapy specialising in moving & handling, rehabilitation and hand therapy.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Nottingham, Derby

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

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

Hayley

Birmingham, Worcestershire

A highly regarded expert occupational therapist, Hayley works with adults with a variety of conditions in their own homes.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management

Anthony

Glasgow, Glasgow (City of)

Qualifying in 2004, Anthony specialises in housing & equipment and rehabilaition for adult clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration

Holly

Manchester, Cheshire

Trained in advanced hand therapy techniques, Holly helps clients by delivering rehabilitation assesments in their home environment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Liverpool, Manchester, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Self care, Splinting

Elizabeth

Cardiff, The Vale of Glamorgan

Liz is an expert neurological rehabilitation specialist working with clients in their own homes across Wales and the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Wales, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Torfaen, The Vale of Glamorgan, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Swansea

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Hand Therapy, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

PIPs, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural managemen, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation

Sarah

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Sarah provides expert neurological and functional rehabilitation to adult clients at home. She is based in Cambridgeshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

Caroline

Kent, South East of England

Caroline is an expert occupational therapist, specialising in neurological, functional and vocational rehabilitation, as well as housing & equipment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, East Sussex, Kent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care

Client feedback

Further reading

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

Our Experts' Blog

A professional’s guide to functional rehabilitation

What is Functional Rehabilitation? In this guide, Rachael explains how a functional OT assessment, learning about a client's personal goals, and a realistic treatment plan, can help a client achieve their optimum level of participation in daily activities.

Read more