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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.

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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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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

Aaron

Wakefield, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Aaron, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in housing and equipment, functional rehab, and moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Manchester, Wakefield, Hull

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Routine planning, Community access

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.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Buckinghamshire, London - Central

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

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

Joanne

Wolverhampton, West Midlands

With over 30 years of experience, Joanne specialises in functional rehabilitation, helping clients regain independence.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Shropshire, Staffordshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

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

Janette

Liverpool, Cheshire

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

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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

Helena

West Sussex, South East of England

Helena, an experienced Occupational Therapist in the South East, specialises in equipment and home adaptation assessments to support independence.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, East Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Victoria

Buckinghamshire, East Anglia

Specialising in Neurological and Functional Rehabilitation, Paediatrics, and Housing and Equipment, Victoria provides tailored therapy across East Anglia and Buckinghamshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Handwriting assessment & treatment

Helen

Leeds, North Yorkshire

A highly experienced Occupational Therapist with 18 years’ clinical practice with adults and children across the UK and South Africa.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Leeds, Bradford

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration, BOBATH

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Behaviour management, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability, Mental Health

Rachel

Hertfordshire, South of England

Rachel is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist supporting children in the South of England with diverse developmental, behavioural, and learning challenges.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South of England, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Paige

Essex, East Anglia

Paige is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Neurorehabilitation across East Anglia, supporting adults with complex neurological conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Karen

Greater Manchester, North West England

Occupational Therapist Karen specialises in Rehabilitation for adults and older adults, focusing on Mental Health, Dementia, and Physical Health Conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Lucy

London - South, London

Based in London, Lucy is an Occupational Therapist with over 15 years of experience specialising in neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Postural management, Splinting, TBI

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

Anna-Marie

Lancashire, North West England

Anna-Marie specialises in rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation, helping people regain independence through person-centred Occupational Therapy across Lancashire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Lancashire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Mental Health

Paul

Norfolk, East Anglia

Paul provides specialist Occupational Therapy across Norfolk, with expertise in hand therapy, splinting and functional rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Norfolk, Suffolk

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

CBT

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Counselling, Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation

Marie

Liverpool, Merseyside

Based in Merseyside, Marie provides expert neurological occupational therapy and rehabilitation to adults and children at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, West Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Conwy, Flintshire, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, Liverpool

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Josie

Essex, South East of England

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

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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

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.

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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

Jessica

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Jessica provides expert Occupational Therapy services, specialising in adaptations, equipment, rehabilitation, mental health, and enhancing independence across diverse needs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Self care, Social integration, Mental Health

Kate

Kent, London

Kate specialises in neurological rehabilitation, helping adults maximise independence through expert Occupational Therapy across London and the South East.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

CO-OP Practitioner

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, TBI

Sarah

West Sussex, South East of England

Sarah is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, orthopaedics and amputee rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, East Sussex, West Sussex

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills

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

Rosemary

Birmingham, West Midlands

Rosemary is an experienced Housing and Equipment Occupational Therapist providing care across the Midlands, North West and South West England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, East Midlands, East Anglia, South East of England, Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Darragh

Dorset, South of England

Darragh is a highly specialist Occupational Therapist who practices in Major Trauma & Orthopaedics & Neurotherapy.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West and South West of England, South of England, South East of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Daily living skills, Behaviour management, Planning & execution, Self care

Isabelle

Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland

Occupational Therapist Isabelle specialises in housing adaptations, equipment, seating and postural management, helping adults live safely and independently at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Northumberland, Newcastle upon Tyne

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Nikki

Middlesex, South East of England

Nikki is a highly skilled OT, specialising in Housing & Equipment. She is based in Middlesex, visiting clients across London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, South East of England, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, London - Central, London - North, London - South, London - East, London - West

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Daily living skills, Visual perception, Self care

Jessica

Dorset, South of England

Jessica Smith is an accomplished Occupational Therapist from London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Counselling, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Self care, Splinting, TBI

Samantha

Cambridgeshire, East Anglia

Samantha supports children and adults across Cambridgeshire, Rutland and Northamptonshire, specialising in paediatrics, equipment, adaptations and postural management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Rutland

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Donna

Lancashire, North West England

Donna supports adults and older people across North West England, specialising in functional rehabilitation, housing, equipment and postural management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Lancashire

Specialisms

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

Amy

Devon, West and South West of England

Located in Devon, Amy is an expert OT who provides specialist interventions for clients across the South-West of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Self care, Postural management, 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