Occupational therapy
What is occupational therapy (OT)?
The Occupational Therapy service for adults aims to help people over 18 years with everyday activities which may have become difficult because of illness, accident, getting older or disability.
The Occupational Therapy Team assess the needs of people who have significant difficulties in carrying out essential activities of daily living, which may include:
- Getting in and out of bed
- Getting on and off the toilet
- Getting up and down the stairs at home.
We will consider people’s needs in relation to their environment, social and family life and we will also assess the needs of their carers at the same time.
How can we help you?
Following a needs assessment, if you qualify for a service, we will work in partnership with you in order to meet your assessed needs and to increase your independence. This may include:
- Providing equipment
- Providing minor adaptations such as grab rails and stair rails
- Arranging for major adaptations to your home
- Providing information and advice on issues relating to disability.
Equipment and minor adaptations are provided to those people with critical or substantial needs. If we are unable to help, we may offer to refer people to other organisations who can offer advice in areas such as education, leisure and training.
If you have a friend or a family member providing support to you, they may qualify for a Carers assessment to have their own needs assessed.
Will I be charged for equipment and adaptation?
The equipment is provided free on loan to assist people and their carers. When you no longer need the equipment we would expect you to return it to us.
There may be a charge for adaptations and a financial assessment is required for a Disabled Facilities Grant application for people who live in privately owned and rented properties.
Getting equipment and minor adaptations for your home
After a needs assessment (in person, over the phone or through the self assessment form), a social care professional will decide which pieces of equipment will best meet your needs.
If you need simple pieces of equipment such as a raised toilet seat, bath board or walking frame, you will then be given a prescription for the items that you need. This is similar to a prescription for medication which you are given by a GP.
You can then take your prescription to one of our 12 accredited equipment retailers, and receive your equipment free of charge. You will be given a list of local retailers with your prescription. The retailer will be able to give you information and advice about the equipment, and some will also deliver and install the equipment for you. If you are unable to visit the retailer yourself, you can ask a friend or family member to collect and fit it for you. The professional providing you with your prescription will discuss your options with you.
Providing equipment in this way means that you have more choice over the equipment you receive. If you do not like the piece of equipment that you have been prescribed, you can choose to pay the difference in price to have a different brand or model, or even a different colour.
For more complex pieces of equipment such as mobile hoists, or external rails and ramps, equipment is provided directly through the Council’s contracted equipment provider.
How do I access these services?
If you need a piece of equipment or minor adaptation to help you at home, you can phone Social Care Direct on the telephone number below, or complete a self assessment form 
(PDF: 100KB) and return it to the Occupational Therapy Team. This form allows you to participate fully in the assessment process without the need for a home visit.
If have a general enquiry you can contact the Occupational Theraphy Team on the contact details below:
- Address: Occupational Therapy Team, POST ROOM, Adult Social Care and Health, Building 4, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South, London, N11 1 NP
- Telephone: 020 8359 5000
- Fax: 020 8359 4361
- Email: occupational.therapy@barnet.gov.uk
Publications
- Occupational therapy guide to daily living services (PDF: 239KB)
You can request a printed copy of these publications by using the contact details opposite.
Comments, compliments and complaints
Adult Social Care and Health home page
Email this pageLast modified by: Neha Shah on 17/11/2011