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Working with Local authorities

We have extensive experience of waiting list outsourcing and case load management for local authority clients. Our forward-thinking approach allows us to tailor services to meet each authority's needs and to react promptly when their demands change.

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Why use The OT Practice?

We understand the importance of prompt, reliable and high quality care when it comes to choosing occupational therapists to deliver local authority services. We offer:

  • An office-based account manager who is also an experienced OT, as a single point of contact for our local authority clients
  • Director oversight of all local authority relationships
  • Transparent, fixed fees per assessment which are inclusive of travel costs
  • The largest nationwide network of private occupational therapists in the UK, all with at least five years' post-qualification experience covering all clinical specialisms
  • A strict selection, interview and registration process for OT Practice therapists to guarantee only the highest standard of care
  • Specialist adult and paediatric client management and therapy teams
  • Regular KPI reports to guarantee accountability
  • A secure project management system, with client access allowing you to monitor progress and performance
  • Encrypted email systems for secure data exchange

Benefits of outsourcing to The OT Practice

  • Outsourcing is a cost-effective way to reduce waiting lists quickly, without the ongoing overheads of increasing staff numbers
  • Reduced workloads boost morale and reduce the frequency of complaints
  • Funding approval is likely to be straightforward given our fixed pricing per case
  • Waiting list projects can also be funded through vacant post funds

Your projects

We appreciate the importance of a bespoke service that fits seamlessly with your other deliverables and work schedules, and so we have no one-size-fits-all packages. All our quotations and Statements of Work are tailored to your individual requirements.

With your approval, a dedicated in-house accounts team will provide management and administrative support to ensure the project is delivered on time and in budget.

Tender opportunities

With ten years' experience delivering cost-effective projects for local authorities at an exceptional level of quality, we always welcome the opportunity to submit a tender for occupational therapy work or related projects for local authorities.

WHITE PAPER
Ending occupational therapy waiting lists

In 2024, The OT Practice commissioned Dr Jo Watson and Michael Guthrie to conduct a second independent report into Local Authority occupational therapy waiting lists. The report follows the first edition by Sheila Mackintosh in 2019. This second edition brings together the latest data, insights and evolving challenges that have further highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue of OT waiting lists.

Receive a copy
For those working within the public sector and associated professionals we are offering a free digital copy. Please email whitepapers@theotpractice.co.uk to register your interest (from your organisation's email address).

White paper - Local Authority occupational therapy waiting lists

Waiting lists for occupational therapy services have persisted for so long that they have become normalised in many regions. However, the problem is not universal — some local authorities have successfully implemented innovative operational strategies to minimise waiting times and, most importantly, ensure that clients are seen promptly.

The 2024 edition builds on the findings of the original report, incorporating fresh data to reflect the changing landscape of social care. Delays in occupational therapy assessments continue to lead to significant downstream costs, including increased falls, loss of independence, hospital admissions, higher care needs, and deteriorating mental health.

This white paper reveals updated patterns in waiting lists, emphasising the human and financial costs of delayed care. It also showcases best practice approaches and explores how occupational therapy services can be improved by leveraging collaborative models, optimising financial resources, and commissioning independent occupational therapy practices to alleviate strain on public systems.

Services

Waiting list outsourcing

We help local authorities throughout the UK clear both adult and child waiting lists, allowing cost savings without compromising quality of service.

Whether you would be making bulk or batch referrals, we recognise the diversity of local authority requirements and develop an individually tailored package to deliver exactly what you require.

DFG management

We providing assessments, reports, specifications and CAD drawings for DFG cases. We can clear a backlog of initial assessment packages, or provide long-term case management including site visits, joint working, needs-met visits and sign-offs.

Best interest assessments

Our network of Best Interest assessors is large enough to allow us to clear waiting lists or provide ongoing support to local authorities throughout the UK. At the same time, our project management processes always ensure smooth delivery of BIA obligations.

Training

Our team can deliver bespoke training courses including adaptations, moving & handing, seating and assistive technology, including appraisals and supervision.

Moving & handling

One of our most requested services, we can efficiently clear moving & handling cases from your waiting lists as well as manage ongoing obligations on request. We also provide plans, risk assessments, equipment and carer training.

Care package rationalisation

Our team regularly review existing care packages to establish if there are financial savings to be made through innovations in our processes, techniques or equipment.

Our approach to working with local authorities

We are proud to have worked with many local authorities on a wide variety of projects over the past decade. Through these relationships and experience we have gained a thorough knowledge of likely requirements and are able to easily tailor our service in-line with specific needs as well as draw on this experience to offer advice and guidance if needed. The foundation of our service is built on three core elements we believe are critical to delivering exceptional service to local authorities, whatever the project.

Our management team

From the point of initial enquiry, you will have an experienced, office based account manager as a single point of contact always available by phone or email, who will manage the project throughout to ensure the quality, consistency and timeliness of our service delivery.

Our processes & systems

Local authority projects can involve large numbers of cases so it is imperative we have the systems and processes in place to ensure quality and attention to detail is never sacrificed. We achieve this by having robust processes we have developed and refined over time, including sophisticated bespoke systems that provide the logistical foundation to The OT Practice's operations.

Our nationwide team of therapists

We have the largest team of private OT’s in the UK and all passed a strict selection, interview & registration process to ensure we only have the best therapists on our team. Clinical skills and experience are essential, but to become an OT Practice therapist our team members must demonstrate a track record of professionalism and the right attitude to customer service, as well as having an energetic and innovative approach.

Can we help?

Call our client managers on 0330 024 9910
Or email enquiries@theotpractice.co.uk

Some companies & organisations we have worked with

Foundations
Bracknell Forest Council
Plymouth City Council
Waverley Borough Council
Guildford Borough Council
Mole Valley District Council
Runnymede Borough Council
Leicestershire County Council
Anchor
L&Q
Haringey
Wandsworth
Richmond
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

Client feedback

Can we help?

Call our client managers on 0330 024 9910
Or email enquiries@theotpractice.co.uk

Our client’s experience

When Grace was 22 years old she was involved in a serious road traffic accident. Her spinal cord was partially severed resulting in paralysis from her chest downwards. The OT Practice Housing & Equipment team worked with Grace to understand and achieve her goals.

Hear from Grace how OT helped her

Commonly asked questions by local authorities

How do you manage a waiting list clearance project?

Through experience, we recognise the importance of strong project management and upfront preparation to ensure that a waiting list clearance project runs smoothly. We have in house project managers that are dedicated to each project and are the principle point of contact responsible for a successful project delivery.

How many OT's do you allocate to a project?

Depending on the client's timeframes and the volume of work to be delivered we will allocate the number of OT's required to ensure the project is delivered on time.

What on going communication do we have during a project?

Your dedicated project manager is on the end of the telephone and email for any day to day queries that you may have. On larger projects we also set review meetings either weekly or monthly and provide project progress reports. In addition to this our projects are managed via an on line project management system that you will have access to allowing you to review progress in real time.

Are you nationwide?

We have a nationwide network of professionals, allowing us to pull together project teams from an extensive network in every region of the UK.

Find out more about the locations we cover and how our OT’s can help.