Call on 0330 024 9910

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.

View more

Stacey

Kent, South East of England

Based in Canterbury, Stacey is an expert OT providing assessments and interventions for adults with physical and neurological conditions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Self care, Postural management, TBI

Emma

North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

I qualified as an occupational therapist in 2004 and specialise in the field of neurology.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, East Riding of Yorkshire, Humberside, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH, AMPS, Train the trainer, Postgraduate cert. Vocational Rehab

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Anna

Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Anna, a dedicated Occupational Therapist based in the Midlands, serves Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Stoke-on-Trent and has multiple specialisms.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, TBI

Joy

Leicester, Northamptonshire

Midlands based Joy is an Occupational Therapist specializing in Housing & Equipment, Functional Rehabilitation, and Moving & Handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Clare

Swindon, Wiltshire

Specialising in Housing & Equipment, Clare is an OT based in Buckinghamshire delivering assessments for clients across the South East.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South East of England, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Swindon

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA, Train the trainer

Tina

Plymouth, Devon

Operating in west and south west England (Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Plymouth) Tina specialises in Functional, Neurological and Vocational Rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

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.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire

Specialisms

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

Louise

Dorset, South of England

Specialising in mental health and cognitive impairments, Louise provides expert Occupational Therapy to clients across the South of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Rachael

Bedfordshire, East Anglia

Based in Bedfordshire, Rachael is a specialist OT providing housing and rehabilitation assessments to clients across East Anglia.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, London - North

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH, BIA

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care

Lynne

Middlesbrough, Durham

Lynn, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in seating and postural management and works in the North of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Durham, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Middlesbrough

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS, CBT, Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Postural management, Learning disability, Mental Health

Lorna

Shropshire, West Midlands

Lorna is a Paediatric OT located in Shropshire, supporting with sensory and motor needs for clients across the West Midlands.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Powys, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Counselling, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation

Karina

London - West, London

Specialising in Seating and Postural Management, Functional Rehabilitation and Moving and Handling, Karina provides occupational therapy services in London.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Postural management

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.

View profile

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

Ebby

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

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

View profile

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

Sam

Cheshire, North West England

Working in the North West and West Midlands, Sam is an expert OT specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Newport, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Leah

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

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

View profile

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

Louisa

Plymouth, Devon

Louisa is an Occupational Therapist specializing in housing and equipment, seating and postural management, functional rehabilitation, and moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Devon

Specialisms

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

Kate

Warwickshire, West Midlands

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

View profile

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

Miriam

Middlesex, London

Located in Edgeware, Miriam is an expert OT who supports adults of all ages with rehabilitation and housing needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, London, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North, 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, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management

Janette

Liverpool, Cheshire

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

View profile

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

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

Sara

Flintshire, Wales

Sara is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with over three decades of expertise in rehabilitation, adaptations, and independent living solutions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, Cheshire, Liverpool

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

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

Lisa

London

In London and Surrey, Lisa, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in housing and equipment, moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Surrey

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Nadia

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Nadia supports people after life-changing neurological injury, delivering occupational therapy that rebuilds confidence, independence and everyday participation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Social integration, TBI

Jessica

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Jess supports children and adults with functional rehabilitation, equipment adaptations, moving and handling, and complex paediatrics clients.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Dysphagia management

Donna

Kent, South East of England

Working in Kent, Donna is a highly skilled OT specialising in Housing and Equipment interventions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care

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.

View profile

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

Angela

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Angela is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation. She visits clients across North-West England and Scotland.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Scotland, Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation

Janet

London - South, Kent

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

View profile

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

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

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