Assessment & advice
An initial assessment is carried out in a client’s own home to review the environment and establish current difficulties. We adopt a consultative approach to gather information and provide any immediate verbal advice where we can. The assessment is then followed up with a detailed report. Our recommendations section of the report contains advice on immediate and long term solutions to any challenges identified. If equipment is recommended we will include the make, model source and likely cost for funding approval or direct ordering. If needed we also provide detailed drawings for works and specification for use with builders.
Equipment trials & quotes
We aim to provide cost effecting, practical and long term solutions to the day to day difficulties that client's may face.
For larger and more costly pieces of equipment such as some hoists or specialist chairs for example, the OT may recommend that these are trialled to ensure they are definitely the best solution. Often this may be the best way to ascertain if an item is suitable both clinically and appropriate for the desired environment.
If a bespoke item needs to be made an equipment trial will allow for accurate measuring and to gain the specialist advice from the relevant company representatives.
In these situations our occupational therapist will make recommendations on the most suitable course of action. Where a bespoke items need to be made they will always advise they (or an alternative suitability trained clinician) be present to ensure that the correct specifications are taken and quoted for to avoid costly mistakes.
Consultancy
Our team are experts in inclusive design. The role of an occupational therapist in housing development is to ensure that works are going to be fit for purpose and meet residents current, long term and potentially variable needs. Our housing occupational therapists can provide a consultancy service for projects to ensure viability and accessibility to all markets.
Project management
If the initial assessment has identified a need for the supply and fitting of equipment or for example the installation of a wet room, this is something we can manage for you allowing you and your family to relax in the knowledge that you are in safe hands.
This service is ideal for those whose family members are concerned about a relative that is not geographically close to them or are too frail to organise the work themselves. We also often find families that are in crisis need this support and assistance so their energies can be directed at managing the family situation.
We will always provide a thorough initial assessment and report before implementing the recommendations you choose and ensuring they are carried out in the style that suits you.
Services we can manage on your behalf may for example include (but not limited to): Installation of grab rails, building of ramps, supply and fit of equipment, installation of wet rooms, extensions and installation of stair lifts.
Building plan reviews
When a property is being brought 'off plan' or when extensive building works are being completed, our team can review architectural plans to ensure the end product has the design and environmental considerations needed to future proof a home.
We also offer a overseas service for clients purchasing retirement properties abroad wanting to ensure it will meet their current and future needs.
Waiting list clearance
We have extensive experience of waiting-list and case-load management for our Local Authority clients. Our forward-thinking approach allows us to tailor services to meet each authority's needs and to react promptly to their demands. We currently work with a number of local authorities throughout the UK helping them to reduce strain on internal teams, in an economical way, without compromising quality of service.
Some of our local authority clients use us to manage ‘low and moderate need’ or DFG cases, allowing in-house staff to manage more complex cases while others outsource the complex cases to us. Others ask us to take on their entire backlog and clear their waiting lists.
Because the needs of our local authority clients are so diverse, we develop an individually tailored package with each one to ensure we deliver exactly what they require within pre-agreed timeframes and budgets.
Disabled Facility Grant (DFG) assessments
We provide a thorough individual assessment in support of a Disabled Facilities Grant application, where an occupational therapist’s report provides essential evidence that home alterations are ‘necessary and appropriate’ as indicated within the framework of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended) legislation.
International services
When overseas clients are in hospital in the UK and wish to return home our housing occupational therapists can assist with repatriation. We work with several London hospitals to support clients returning home by arranging equipment deliveries or visiting overseas properties prior to discharge, to ensure the environment is suitable for the client’s return after their discharge in the UK.
Our OTs can travel to the homes of our overseas clients to assess, advise and arrange solutions for clients looking for the high quality and discreet therapy services we are able to offer.
