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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

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

Case managers

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

Find out more

Healthcare concierge

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

Find out more

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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Jane

Cornwall, West and South West of England

Covering London and South West England, Jane specialises in housing, equipment, and neurological rehabilitation, supporting clients with diverse conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London , London - Central, London - East

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH, Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation

Gaynor

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Gaynor is a highly skilled OT providing expert neurological, vocational, and functional rehabilitation to clients in the East Midlands

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, East Anglia, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, South Yorkshire, Warwickshire, London - North, Nottingham, Leicester

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

PIPs, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Julie

London - West, Berkshire

Julie, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in functional rehabilitation, neurology, complex paediatrics, and handwriting assessments.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Berkshire, London - West

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment

Joanne

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Working with adults, Joanne offers specialised Occupational Therapy services focusing on neurological rehabilitation, housing adaptations, functional rehabilitation, and equipment provision.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Scotland, Cumbria, Durham, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Borders, East Lothian, Edinburgh (City of), Fife, Midlothian, West Lothian, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

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

Yvonne

Wiltshire, West and South West of England

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South of England

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Learning disability

Leah

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Leah has a wealth of experience across different areas of speciality including elderly care, rehabilitation, equipment provision and neurology.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Anne

Warwickshire, West Midlands

Located in Solihull, Anne is a highly experienced OT providing comprehensive assessments and rehabilitation for clients across the Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

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

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

Alyssa

Plymouth, Devon

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

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

Claire

Liverpool, Greater Manchester

Specialising in Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, and Functional Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist Claire works across North West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, Wales

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Jodie

Kent, South East of England

OT Jodie provides Neurological rehabilitation in the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

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

Thelma

London - North, Cambridgeshire

Thelma provides expert Occupational Therapy services addressing diverse physical and mental health conditions across North East England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, London - North, London - East, Edinburgh, Leicester

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Mental Health

Janet

London - South, Kent

Janet is an expert Occupational Therapist specialising in paediatrics and neurological rehabilitation, she works with children at home and school.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Stella

Kent, London

Stella offers tailored Occupational Therapy services, specialising in Housing and Equipment, Functional Rehabilitation, and Moving and Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

Financial management

Gemma

London - North, Bedfordshire

Gemma is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with a specialization in Housing and Equipment, Functional Rehabilitation, and Moving and Handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, London - Central

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Jacqui

Surrey, South of England

Jacqui, an OT with a focus on housing and equipment, moving and handling, and functional rehabilitation, is based in Surrey.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Ronda

Kent, South East of England

Occupational Therapist Ronda specializes in functional and neurological rehabilitation and moving and handling. She serves clients in the South East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, London - Central, London - South

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Splinting, TBI

Jennifer

Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire

Jennifer provides expert occupational therapy to clients across the North of England, including Durham, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Hull, Salford, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Rebecca

Surrey, South of England

Based in Dorking, Surrey, Rebecca is a specialist OT who supports clients with a range of orthopaedic injuries and conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Surrey, West Sussex, London - South

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Self care

Dearbhla

Cardiff, Cardiff

Dearbhla provides specialised occupational therapy in neurological rehabilitation, functional rehabilitation, housing and equipment, and improving daily living skills.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Wales, Bristol, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Newport, The Vale of Glamorgan, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, TBI

Sue

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

As an OT with nearly 40 years of experience, Sue is an expert in paediatrics; vocational and functional rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West and South West of England, Wales, Avon, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Worcestershire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Financial management, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Chandrajeet

London - West, Middlesex

Specialising in Housing & Equipment, Chandrajeet is an experienced OT based in West London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, London - Central, London - West

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care

Carlie

Lancashire, North West England

Carlie is an expert OT in neuro and functional rehabilitation based in Lancashire, providing specialist interventions for adults.

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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, TBI

Georgina

Somerset, West and South West of England

Georgina, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, blue badges/mobility assessment, and fatigue management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

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

Roz

Edinburgh, Edinburgh (City of)

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, East Lothian, Fife, West Lothian

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Pilar

East Sussex, West and South West of England

OT Pilar provides Functional Rehabilitation, Manual Handling, and Pain and Fatigue Management across East Sussex (Brighton) and South London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, London, East Sussex, West Sussex, London - South, Brighton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills

Rachel

Dorset, South of England

Rachel, an expert Occupational Therapist based in Hampshire, specialises in paediatrics and handwriting assessments and treatments and EHCPs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment, Postural management

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, TBI

Client feedback

Further reading

Our Experts' Blog

Stepping stones to independence – Dressing skills

Dressing is a key step towards independence for children, involving complex motor and sensory skills. This article explores typical dressing development, practical tips for parents and carers, and how occupational therapy can support children facing dressing related challenges.

Read more

Our Experts' Blog

The role of Occupational Therapy in Hand Trauma

Hand therapy is crucial for restoring function and improving quality of life for individuals recovering from hand injuries, as it addresses both the physical limitations and psychological impacts of trauma.

Read more