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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.

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Michael

Merseyside, North West England

Housing & equipment, and functional rehabilitation OT Michael operates in the North West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, West Midlands, Flintshire, Wrexham

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Ergonomics

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Routine planning, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution

Aminah

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

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

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Buckinghamshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Balance

Ekaete

Essex, London

Ekaeke is a Neurological Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist specialising in Brain Injury based around Chelmsford and working in Essex.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Essex

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Sam

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Based in Northamptonshire, Sam is an OT with over 20 years of experience, specialising in rehabilitation and Housing & Equipment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Warwickshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Balance, Self care, Postural management

Jikku

Birmingham, West Midlands

Jikku is a skilled Occupational Therapist specialising in Moving and Handling, Neurological Rehabilitation, and tailored interventions across the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, East Midlands, West and South West of England, East Anglia, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Manchester, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Co-ordination, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation

Carly

Essex, South East of England

Specialist Occupational Therapist Carly provides neurological rehabilitation and housing adaptations across South East England, offering tailored, evidence-based interventions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Essex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, Mental Health, TBI

Adele

Wiltshire, West and South West of England

Qualified in 1986, experienced Occupational Therapist Adele specialises in Housing and Equipment, supporting clients across the South West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Somerset, Wiltshire, Bath

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments

Claire

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Claire, an experienced Occupational Therapist based in Buckinghamshire in the South East of England, specializes in housing and equipment.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Buckinghamshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

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

Jordan

Birmingham, West Midlands

Jordan, a Specialist Occupational Therapist in the West Midlands, provides expert support in housing, equipment, rehabilitation, and moving and handling.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West Midlands, Birmingham, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Daily living skills

Jo

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Experienced Occupational Therapist Jo specialises in Neurological Rehabilitation, supporting adults with various conditions across the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer, Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Helen

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Residing in the East Midlands, Occupational Therapist Helen specializes in housing and equipment as well as moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Roxanne

Bath, Avon

Roxanne is a skilled Occupational Therapist, specialising in rehabilitation, adaptations, and paediatrics, supporting diverse needs across South West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, Avon, Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Bristol, Bath

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Wheelchair accreditation, Learning disability, 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.

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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

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, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Sarah

North Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Skilled Occupational Therapist, Sarah specialises in rehabilitation, equipment, adaptations, and postural management, supporting diverse needs across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Leeds

Specialisms

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

Natiq

London - East, Essex

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

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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

Claire

Greater Manchester, North West England

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

Rachel

Derbyshire, East Midlands

Rachel is an experienced senior OT in Housing, Specialist equipment provision and Moving and Handling, covering Derbyshire and East Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Isle of Wight, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

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

Gemma

Midlothian, Scotland

Gemma specialises in Moving and Handling, and Housing and Equipment, providing expert Occupational Therapy services across Scotland and Northern England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Scotland

Specialisms

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

Julia

London

Visiting clients across London, Julia is an experienced OT with expertise in orthopaedic conditions and brain injuries.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Louise

Wiltshire, West and South West of England

Based in Wiltshire, Louise is an expert occupational therapist working with clients in their own homes to maximise independence.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Berkshire, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Swindon

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Postural management

Wendy

Sheffield, Derbyshire

Wendy provides specialist Occupational Therapy services, focusing on rehabilitation, housing adaptations, seating, postural management, and complex condition management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Derbyshire, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation

Kirstie

Edinburgh, East Lothian

Kirstie provides expert Occupational Therapy services, specialising in housing, equipment, and moving and handling, with over 30 years of experience.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Scotland

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

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

Rachelle

Hampshire, South East of England

Rachelle is a highly skilled Occupational Therapist specialising in housing, seating, functional and neurological rehabilitation, and moving & handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Hampshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Postural management

Jan

London

Jan is an expert OT delivering specialist Neurological, Vocational, and Functional Rehabilitation to clients across London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Essex, London - Central, London - East

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Sian

Southampton, Hampshire

With over two decades of experience, Occupational Therapist Sian provides expert rehabilitation services across the South of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, PIPs, Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Daniella

London - South, London

With over a decade’s experience as an OT, Daniella specialises in Functional & Neurological Rehabilitation in London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Louise

Essex, East Anglia

Louise offers expert assessments and interventions in paediatrics, moving and handling, and housing and equipment across Essex and East Anglia.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Essex, Suffolk, London - East

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Community access, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support

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

Sara

Cardiff, The Vale of Glamorgan

Experienced Occupational Therapist, Sara specialises in rehabilitation, delivering compassionate, person-centred care across Wales and South West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Wales, Avon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Flintshire, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Torfaen, The Vale of Glamorgan, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, Splinting, Wheelchair accreditation, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

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