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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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Alex

West Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Alex is an expert OT specialising in the field of Neurological Rehabilitation, covering Yorkshire and the North of England.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Wakefield

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

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

Georgia

London

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Kent

Specialisms

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

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

Julie

Cheshire, North West England

Specialising in Functional and Neurological Rehabilitation, Julie is an Occupational Therapist based in Crewe, just south of Liverpool and Manchester.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Wales, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Conwy, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, Liverpool, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, PIPs, Fatigue management, Routine planning, Financial management, Daily living skills, Community access, Behaviour management, Planning & execution, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Lisa

London

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

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London, Surrey

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Kirsty

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Kirsty is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in neurological, functional and vocational rehabilitation across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Further qualifications

Sensory Integration

Specialist skills

Motivational interviewing, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Sensory integration, Self care, Social integration, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Alyssa

Plymouth, Devon

Alyssa is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in neurological rehabilitation, functional rehabilitation, and moving and handling across the South West.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Handwriting assessment & treatment, Visual perception, Balance, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Anxiety management & relaxation, TBI

Simone

Surrey, South East of England

Simone is an expert OT based in Surrey and specialises in brain injury, dementia, and neurological conditions.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Surrey, London - West

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BOBATH

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management

Lisa

Birmingham, West Midlands

Lisa is an advanced OT in Functional Rehab, Stroke & Neuro Rehab, Moving & Handling covering the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills

Rose

Bedfordshire

Rose conducts assessments with clients, providing intervention to improve their safety and independence within their home environment.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

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

Further qualifications

BIA

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

Helen

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Helen is an expert Hand Therapist, delivering specialist rehabilitation assessments and treatment across Nottinghamshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Nottingham

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Vocational Rehabilitation, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Counselling, Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Self care, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation

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

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

Sarah

Derbyshire, East Midlands

Based in Derbyshire, Sarah is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist who visits clients across the West Midlands.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

West Midlands, East Midlands, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Birmingham, Sheffield, Coventry, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Derby

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments, Fatigue management, Pain management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management

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

Jenna

Oxfordshire, South East of England

Operating in the South of England, OT Jenna specialises in hand therapy, functional rehabilitation, moving and handling, and splinting

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Oxfordshire

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Splinting

Lynne

Manchester, Greater Manchester

Lynne specialises in Hand Therapy, Upper Limb Rehabilitation and Functional Rehabilitation across Greater Manchester and surrounding counties.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

North West England, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, Manchester

Specialisms

Hand Therapy, Functional rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Motivational issues, Fine motor skills, Planning & execution, Social integration, Splinting, Anxiety management & relaxation, Mental Health

Sarah

Bedfordshire, East Anglia

Sarah is an experienced Occupational Therapist based in Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments

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

Cheryle

London - South, London

Based in South London, Cheryle is a highly skilled OT who provides expert interventions to adult and elderly clients.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

London

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Roz

Edinburgh, Edinburgh (City of)

Occupational Therapist Roz specialises in housing, equipment, postural management, rehabilitation, and moving and handling, providing expert assessments across the Lothians.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Scotland, East Lothian, Fife, West Lothian

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Balance, Self care, Postural management, Dysphagia management, Anxiety management & relaxation

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

Specialisms

Functional rehabilitation, Neurological rehabilitation

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Pain management, Self care

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

Cheyenne

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Cheyenne is a specialist Neurological Rehabilitation Occupational Therapist supporting adults across Buckinghamshire and West London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

South East of England, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, London - Central, London - West

Specialisms

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

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Visual perception, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care, Postural management, Wheelchair accreditation, TBI

Jennie

South Yorkshire, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Jennie is a highly experienced OT based in Doncaster. She provides Functional and Neuro rehabilitation for adults across Yorkshire.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Sheffield

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Further qualifications

Train the trainer

Specialist skills

Routine planning, Daily living skills, Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills, Co-ordination, Planning & execution, Self care

Claire

London - North, Hertfordshire

Occupational Therapist Claire, with over 20 years of experience, specializes in housing and equipment as well as moving and handling.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

DFG Assessments, Blue Badges / Mobility Assessments

Claire

Swindon, Wiltshire

Claire provides specialist Occupational Therapy across Wiltshire, Swindon, Gloucestershire and Somerset, promoting independence and wellbeing.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

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

Specialisms

Seating and Postural management, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Fatigue management, Daily living skills, Balance, Co-ordination, Self care

Lucy

Norfolk, East Anglia

Lucy is an experienced Occupational Therapist specialising in mental health and physical rehabilitation, delivering holistic, patient-centred interventions across East Anglia.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

East Anglia

Specialisms

Housing and Equipment, Functional rehabilitation, Moving and Handling

Specialist skills

Anxiety management & relaxation

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.

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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

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

Felicia

Buckinghamshire, South East of England

Felicia specialises in functional rehabilitation, housing and equipment, moving and handling, and seating across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes and London.

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Profession

Occupational Therapy

Regions covered

Specialisms

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

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