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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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Sian

Birmingham, West Midlands

Sian's specialist areas include learning disability, sensory approaches and paediatrics.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, Worcestershire, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Sensory integration, School Based Therapy/Support, Anxiety management & relaxation, Sensory attachment intervention, Learning disability

Hazel

Cardiff, Cardiff

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

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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

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

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

Rachel

Dorset, South of England

Rachel, an expert Occupational Therapist based in Hampshire, specialises in paediatrics and handwriting assessments and treatments and EHCPs.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Handwriting assessment & treatment

Lois

Perthshire and Kinross, Scotland

Based in Scotland, Lois specialises in Functional and Neurological Rehabilitation, providing expert assessments to clients at home.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Angus, Clackmannan, Dundee (City of), Falkirk, Fife, Perthshire and Kinross, Stirling

Specialisms

Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Fine motor skills

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

Barbara

Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire

Based in Hull, Occupational Therapist Barbara is a dedicated professional specializing in functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, and neurological rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Midlands, East Riding of Yorkshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Emma

Bristol, Avon

Emma, an Occupational Therapist, specialises in housing and equipment, vocational rehabilitation, moving and handling, and neurological rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

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

Janice

London

Janice is a specialist Occupational Therapist in London, focusing on rehabilitation and equipment for various neurological and physical conditions.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

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

Charlotte

Southampton, Hampshire

Charlotte is an OT based in Southampton, delivering specialist rehabilitation and housing assessments across the South of England.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South of England, Dorset, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Southampton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Certificate in Education

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Community access, Gross motor skills, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Anxiety management & relaxation, Learning disability

Anna

Kent, South East of England

An expert OT in Neurological Rehabilitation, Anna works with adult clients in Kent and London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

, Kent

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Visual perception, Balance, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Splinting

Jodie

Kent, South East of England

OT Jodie provides Neurological rehabilitation in the South East of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Planning & execution, Self care, TBI

Davinia

Birmingham, West Midlands

Functional and Vocational Occupational Therapist Davina works in the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, West Midlands, Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Vocational Rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

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

Emma

Warwickshire, West Midlands

Emma is an experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist providing specialised care to children across the Midlands in various settings.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

Paediatrics, Housing and Equipment, Seating and Postural management

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Self care, Postural management, School Based Therapy/Support

Catherine

Oxfordshire, South of England

Based in Oxford, Catherine is an OT with over 15 years’ experience and particular expertise in Trauma and Orthopaedics.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

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

Stacey

Derby, Derbyshire

Stacey, an Occupational Therapist based in the East Midlands, specifically Derby and Derbyshire, specialises in housing and equipment, and rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Nottingham, Derby

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

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

Zoe

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Occupational Therapist Zoe, specializing in functional rehabilitation, serves the North East of England in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Further qualifications

AMPS

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Daily living skills, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Clare

Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear

Qualified in 1999, experienced Occupational Therapist Clare specialises in Moving and Handling, supporting clients across North East England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North East England

Specialisms

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

Eleanor

London - South, Surrey

Eleanor, an Occupational Therapist, operates in London, Surrey, and Kent, specialising in fatigue management and pain management.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent, Surrey

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Self care

Jane

Edinburgh, West Lothian

Jane is an experienced occupational therapist specialising in equipment and adaptations, moving and handling, specialist seating, rehabilitation, goal setting.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, North East England, Scotland

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, DFG Assessments

Charlotte

Lincolnshire, East Midlands

Based in Lincolnshire, Charlotte is an expert Housing and Rehabilitation OT, working with clients across the East Midlands.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Midlands, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Fatigue management, Daily living skills

William

Devon, West and South West of England

Based just outside of Exeter in Devon, William is an OT specialising in Neurological Rehabilitation.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Daily living skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, TBI

Miriam

Middlesex, London

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

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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

Ekaete

Essex, London

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

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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

Sophy

Northamptonshire, East Midlands

Based in Northampton, Sophy is an OT with expertise in the field of Neurological Rehabilitation.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Rutland, Warwickshire, London - North, Coventry, Leicester

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Laura

Devon, West and South West of England

Laura works in Cornwall Devon, Dorset and Somerset where her OT services focus on ADLs, community access and DFG assessments.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

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

Anne-Marie

London - South, Kent

Anne-Marie is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in Moving and Handling, serving clients across London and surrounding areas.

View profile

Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent, London - South, London - East, Brighton

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, PIPs, Daily living skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Self care

Angela

Glasgow, Glasgow (City of)

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, Glasgow (City of), Glasgow

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

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