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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

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.

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Kathryn

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Based in Newcastle, Kathryn is an expert OT working with clients with rehabilitation needs across the North East of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

TBI

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

Roberta

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Roberta is an experienced OT based in Northampton, offering specialist Housing & Equipment, Seating, and Moving & Handling recommendations.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Warwickshire, Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Hazel

Cardiff, Cardiff

Cardiff, Newport and North Somerset based Occupational Therapist Hazel specialises in Seating and Postural, Housing & Equipment, Moving & Handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Wales, The Vale of Glamorgan

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Natiq

London - East, Essex

Qualifying in 2011, Natiq specialises in housing & equipment, rehabilitation and seating & postural management for adults and children.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Essex

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, School Based Therapy/Support, Mental Health

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

Emma

Shropshire, West Midlands

Specialising in Housing and Equipment and Moving and Handling, Emma provides expert assessments and interventions for both adults and children.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Wrexham, Birmingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Salford

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Self care, Postural management, Learning disability

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

Alexis

Norfolk, East Anglia

Alexis provides Occupational Therapy services in Rehabilitation, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling, Paediatrics, and Neurological Rehabilitation across East Anglia.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, 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, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, TBI

Niharika

London - West, Middlesex

Niharika offers expert Neurological Rehabilitation services, focusing on tailored assessments and treatment strategies for adults with neurological conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex

Specialisms

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

John

London

Based in London, experienced Occupational Therapist John assists adults with a range of physical and neurological health conditions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Postural management

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

Angela

Kent, South East of England

Based in Kent, Angela is a specialist OT in Housing and Equipment assessments and interventions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Kent

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

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

Janet

Birmingham, West Midlands

Working in the West Midlands, OT Janet specialises in Vocational Rehabilitation, Housing, Postural Management; Fatigue, Anxiety and Pain.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Ergonomics

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Postural management, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation

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

Gaynor

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

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

View profile

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

Fran

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Working in the North East of England, Fran is a dedicated Occupational Therapist specialising in housing & equipment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, North Yorkshire, Newcastle upon Tyne

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Josie

Essex, South East of England

Josie is an OT providing expert Housing & Equipment assessments and recommendations across Essex and the South East.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Essex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Learning disability

Cheryl

Wolverhampton, Staffordshire

Cheryl is a specialist Occupational Therapist with expertise in rehabilitation, housing adaptations, and equipment provision, promoting independence and safety.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Cheshire, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

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

Catherine

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Working across Yorkshire and the East Midlands, Catherine is an expert OT working with clients with Vocational Rehabilitation needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, Derbyshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Daily living skills

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.

View profile

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

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

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

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

Lorraine

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Based in Northumberland, Lorraine is an expert Paediatric OT supporting children of all ages with physical and sensory needs.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Cleveland, Durham, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Borders

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, AMPS, Chailey Postural Management

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, DMO (Lycra) Splinting, School Based Therapy/Support, Learning disability

Georgia

London

OT Georgia has experience in vocational and functional rehabilitation, as well as expertise in seating and postural management.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation

Gemma

Hampshire, South of England

Gemma is an Occupational Therapist specializing in housing and equipment, seating and postural management, functional and neurological rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Southampton

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation

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.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care

Carole

Greater Manchester, North West England

Carole is an experienced Occupational Therapist, supporting clients across North West England with complex needs, home adaptations, and equipment provision.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Greater Manchester, Manchester

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

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