Use this page to learn who the Occupational Therapy Team work with, how they can help, how the service is paid for and how to get a referral for an assessment.
Who the Occupational Therapy Team work with
The Social Care Occupational Therapy Team work with adults aged 18 and over who are also B&NES residents.
They work within the homes of people who have long-term disabilities and who are experiencing difficulties with day-to-day activities, particularly when their home environment is limiting what they can do.
Reasons why we may not be able to help
- you have a short-term health condition which is expected to improve
- you have recently been discharged from hospital
- you require rehabilitation to help you carry out daily living activities, for example, to make yourself a meal, to get dressed, or return to your previous level of function
- you need equipment for employment or education
We are also not able to help for referrals specifically for mobility equipment. These need to be requested via your GP for a physiotherapy referral.
If a referral is specifically for a wheelchair for long term use, please ask your GP to refer you to wheelchair services.
If you require a wheelchair for short term use, please contact Red Cross.
If you have purchased a mobility scooter, we can give advice, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you can charge it, store it, and access your property with it. If you rent your property you will need to ask permission from your landlord and they may request that you fund your own storage facility, arrange for external electrical charging point etc.
What the team do
An occupational therapist will carry out an assessment in your home to look at the things you are finding difficult and discuss what is important to you.
Following an occupational therapy assessment, the team may:
- suggest different ways of doing things
- provide equipment (for example a raised toilet seat to help you get on and off the toilet independently, or a bath/shower board to help you shower safely and independently. )
- discuss and/or arrange for minor adaptations to your property (this may be your own home, a privately rented home, or rented through a Housing Association. If you are renting your property, agreement will be needed from your landlord for any adaptations to be carried out)
- advise and support with rehousing applications
- give postural and seating assessments
- give moving and handling risk assessments
Adaptations to your home
Following an occupational therapy assessment, you may be advised to make adaptations to your home. If works cost over £1000 you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) if you are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits.
Funding works and equipment
Most basic equipment will be provided on loan to you from our Community Stores. If you prefer to buy your own equipment there are mobility and equipment shops locally.
You can visit Ask Sara for information and guidance, including self-assessment tools to guide you towards suitable equipment and signpost you to services and providers.
Minor works under £1000
If you need to undertake minor works to your home that cost under £1000, generally the team will arrange this for you.
However there are the following exceptions:
- If you want to fund yourself - You can get support from Housing Improvement Agencies
- If you own your property - You may be eligible for a low-cost loan to adapt or upgrade your property
- If you are a Housing Association tenant - You may be able to get the Housing Association to carry out adaptations for you, but they may request an occupational therapy assessment first.
Works over £1000
If an occupational therapist assesses you at home and works are deemed necessary and appropriate and cost over £1000 you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). This is a means tested grant and is for people on a low income. A test of financial resources will apply.
A Disabled Facilities Grant will need be supported by an occupational therapist as being necessary and appropriate.
If you are not eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant
We will always assess for basic equipment before any major adaptations are considered. If you wish to arrange works privately, we are able to give advice and signpost to services which may be able to help you.
Get an assessment
To request a referral to the service, please call the First Response team on 01225 394570.
We may be able to provide advice over the phone and order some simple equipment for you. If you or need a more comprehensive assessment we will visit you at home.
As we have a high volume of referrals to the service, we have a waiting list in operation. All referrals to the service are triaged by an occupational therapist to ensure that we prioritise people with the greatest need. We will send you a waiting list letter on receipt of your referral.