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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

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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Anna

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Based in Northern Ireland, Anna specialises in Neurological Rehabilitation, Housing & Equipment, and Seating & Postural Management.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Northern Ireland, Antrim, Down, Londonderry, Tyrone, Belfast

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

TBI

Alex

West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Alex is an expert OT specialising in the field of Neurological Rehabilitation, covering Yorkshire and the North of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, 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, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Amy

Essex, South East of England

Supporting people across Essex to live independently, Amy specialises in functional rehabilitation, equipment, minor adaptations and moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Essex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Suzanne

Bristol, Bristol

Occupational Therapist Suzanne specialises in Moving and Handling, Neurological Rehabilitation, and Housing and Equipment across the South West of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Cardiff, Newport

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care

Elena

Cardiff, Cardiff

Based in Cardiff, Elena helps children develop confidence, independence and everyday skills through Occupational Therapy.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, Bridgend, Cardiff

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Rebecca

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Located in Cambridge, Rebecca is an experienced OT supporting clients with home adaptations, specialist equipment provisions, and rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Self care

Kate

Warwickshire, West Midlands

Kate is an experienced OT based in Stratford-upon-Avon, specialising in Housing & Equipment and Moving & Handling with adult clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, South of England, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Coventry

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

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, Bristol, Devon, Herefordshire, Somerset, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Torfaen, The Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Swansea

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

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

Angela

Glasgow, Glasgow (City of)

Working throughout London, Occupational Therapist Angela provides Neurological Rehabilitation and enjoys helping those who have experienced a Stroke.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Therapeutic listening

Specialist skills

Counselling, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Postural management

Heidi

Bristol, West and South West of England

Serving clients across the West and South of England, Heidi is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Functional Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care

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

Hannah

Norfolk, East Anglia

Occupational Therapist Hannah specializes in housing and equipment, seating and postural management, functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, and neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care, Postural management

Sarah

Swindon, Wiltshire

Based in Swindon, Sarah is a Paediatric OT visiting children in a home or school setting across the South-West.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Berkshire, Bristol, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Swindon

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Makaton, Learning disability

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

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

Sue

Bristol, Bristol

Sue specialises in Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural Management, and Moving and Handling assessments for both children and adults.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Avon, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills

Judy

Newcastle upon Tyne, Cumbria

Based in Carlisle, Judy delivers neurological rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy to promote independence and everyday function.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Scotland, Cumbria, Lancashire, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Mental Health

Emma

West Sussex, South East of England

Emma is an OT located in West Sussex, working with clients with housing needs in the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, West Sussex, Brighton

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

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

Ruth

Kent, South East of England

Ruth is an OT based in Whitstable, Kent, offering comprehensive assessments and rehabilitation for clients with injury and long-term conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent, London - South

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

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

Stephanie

Nottinghamshire, East Midlands

Stephanie, an accomplished Occupational Therapist residing in Nottinghamshire, serving regions across the north of England and the midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, East Anglia, London, Wales

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Pain management, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Social integration, Learning disability

Alistair

Pembrokeshire, Wales

Alistair, an accomplished Occupational Therapist residing in Pembrokeshire, Wales who specialises in in Functional and Neurological rehabilitation, and housing adaptions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, South of England, South East of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Avon, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Herefordshire, Kent, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Borders, Orkney, Shetland, South Lanarkshire, Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Wrexham

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Pippa

Gloucestershire, West and South West of England

Supporting adults and children across South West England, Pippa specialises in functional rehabilitation, equipment provision and housing adaptations.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Aminah

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Specialising in functional rehabilitation and moving and handling, Aminah is an Occupational Therapist covering South East England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Buckinghamshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Balance

Kathleen

Liverpool, Flintshire

Qualifying in 1988, Kathleen is an experienced Occupational Therapist working with adults and children across Wales and North West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Merseyside, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

Emma

London - Central, Middlesex

Functional Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist Emma specialises in fatigue and pain management and daily living skills

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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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care

Lucy

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Lucy delivers expert Functional Rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment assessments for clients across East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Behaviour management, Co-ordination, Self care, Social integration

Angela

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Angela is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in functional rehabilitation, complex injuries, housing and equipment, and moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, South Yorkshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Sheffield, Coventry, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Jennie

South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Jennie is a highly experienced OT based in Doncaster. She provides Functional and Neuro rehabilitation for adults across Yorkshire.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care

Claire

Moray, Scotland

Supporting clients across Aberdeenshire and Moray, Claire is an experienced OT with expertise in Mental Health.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Highland, Moray

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

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

Khatira

London - Central, London

Occupational Therapist Khatira, specialises in housing and equipment, functional rehabilitation, and moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care

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