Occupational Therapy Services
Helping people participate, build independence and make everyday life more manageable.
Our Occupational Therapists support children, young people, adults and older adults with the skills and confidence they need to take part in everyday activities. We look at the whole person, their environment and what matters to them, providing practical, evidence-based support tailored to individual strengths, needs and goals.
How We Can Help
Assessments & Ongoing Therapy
Comprehensive OT assessment, recommendations, intervention and reporting.
Sensory Integration
Understanding and supporting sensory processing, regulation and participation.
Manual Handling Training
Practical OT-led training for families, carers, education and care teams.
Independent Living
Developing practical skills and confidence for greater independence.
Home Assessments & DFGs
Assessing accessibility, adaptations, equipment and functional needs at home.
Expert Witness Services
Independent OT assessment, reporting and evidence for legal and statutory processes.
Assessments and On-going Support
At FunctionAbility, we provide comprehensive, person-centred Occupational Therapy assessments for children, young people and adults. Our assessments help build a clear picture of an individual’s strengths, needs and everyday challenges, allowing us to make practical, evidence-based recommendations that support participation and independence at home, in education, at work and in the community.
Assessments can support a range of needs, including EHCPs, education planning, workplace support, health and functional needs, private referrals and future provision.
We combine clinical observation, discussion and, where appropriate, standardised assessment tools. Every assessment is tailored to the individual and may include:
A detailed Occupational Profile, exploring routines, roles, priorities and daily living skills
Clinical observations of posture, balance, movement, coordination, eye movements and reflexes
Sensory processing assessments exploring regulation, attention and participation
Handwriting assessments, including the DASH where appropriate
Visual perception assessments, such as the DTVP-3 or DTVP-A:2
Motor coordination assessments, including the Movement ABC-3
Interviews with individuals, parents or caregivers to understand real-life experiences and priorities
Observations within home, education, workplace or other relevant environments
Following assessment, we provide clear recommendations and, where required, a detailed written report outlining findings and practical next steps.
Ongoing Occupational Therapy Support
Where ongoing support is recommended, our Occupational Therapists can provide tailored intervention based on the individual’s needs and goals. This may include practical strategies, targeted intervention, monitoring progress, liaison with families and professionals, and reviewing support as needs change.
Sensory Integration
Sensory processing affects how we notice, understand and respond to information from our bodies and the world around us. When sensory differences make everyday activities more challenging, the right support can help improve regulation, participation, confidence and wellbeing.
Our Occupational Therapists with specialist postgraduate training in Sensory Integration (SI) can assess how an individual processes and responds to sensory information, helping to identify where differences may be affecting everyday life.
Following assessment, we can recommend practical strategies and tailored interventions based on individual needs. This may include movement and sensory-based activities, changes to the environment or daily routines, and the development of an individualised sensory programme.
Where specialist Sensory Integration intervention is appropriate, this is delivered by a qualified SI Practitioner with the knowledge and training to provide safe, evidence-based assessment and intervention.
If you think sensory differences may be affecting you or someone you support, get in touch to discuss how we can help.
Manual Handling Training
We provide practical, OT-led manual handling training to help people safely and confidently support children, adults and older people with movement and physical support needs. Training is tailored to the individual and the environment in which support takes place, including homes, schools, nurseries, colleges and care settings.
Our approach focuses on promoting safety, dignity and comfort, while reducing the risk of injury for both the individual and those supporting them. Training may include:
Safe moving and handling techniques
Posture, body mechanics and reducing the risk of injury
Supporting transfers, including sit-to-stand, bed, chair and floor transfers
Safe use of moving and handling equipment
Supporting physical, neurological and sensory needs
Adapting techniques to individual abilities and different environments
Risk assessments
As Occupational Therapists, we look beyond the movement itself. We consider the person’s abilities, needs, environment and goals to ensure techniques are safe, practical and appropriate for everyday life, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our training can be provided for parents and family members, teaching and support staff, carers, personal assistants, care providers and wider support teams.
Independent Living
Developing the skills to live more independently can be an important step at any stage of life. Physical, emotional, cognitive or sensory needs can sometimes make everyday activities more challenging, from preparing meals and managing a home to accessing education, employment and the wider community.
At FunctionAbility, our Occupational Therapists provide personalised assessments and practical support to help individuals build confidence, develop everyday skills and work towards greater independence.
Support may include:
Cooking and meal preparation
Shopping and planning
Cleaning and household tasks
Managing money and budgeting
Developing routines and organisational skills
Accessing education, training or employment
Building confidence in the community
We focus on the activities that matter most to each individual, providing practical strategies and support that can be used in everyday life.
Home Assessments, DFGs & Specialist Equipment
Our Occupational Therapists provide independent home assessments and specialist equipment advice for people of all ages. We look at how the home environment supports everyday life and identify practical changes that may improve safety, independence, comfort and accessibility.
Assessments can explore areas such as mobility, personal care, cooking, moving around the home and accessing outdoor spaces. We consider both current and longer-term needs, taking into account the individual, their environment and the activities that matter to them.
Following an assessment, we can provide a detailed Occupational Therapy report outlining:
Functional needs and any barriers within the home
How the current environment affects everyday activities
Recommended adaptations or specialist equipment
The practical benefits of any proposed changes
Supporting Disabled Facilities Grant Applications
While FunctionAbility does not manage or approve Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) applications, our Occupational Therapists can provide independent assessment and professional evidence to support an application made through your Local Authority.
*All DFG applications, eligibility and funding decisions remain the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority.*
Equipment & Adaptations
We can also provide independent advice on specialist equipment and home adaptations, whether these are being considered privately or through statutory services. Recommendations may include:
Ramps, stairlifts and other access solutions
Bathroom and kitchen adaptations
Moving and handling equipment
Equipment to support personal care and daily activities
Falls prevention and home safety solutions
Our aim is to provide clear, practical recommendations that help individuals and families make informed decisions and create a home environment that supports both current needs and future independence.
Expert Witness & Tribunal Services
Our Occupational Therapists provide independent, evidence-based assessments, reports and professional opinion for legal and statutory processes, including EHCPs, SEND Tribunals, Court of Protection proceedings and medico-legal cases.
For EHCPs, we can provide evidence-based recommendations relating to provision, Section F, educational placement and Section I, including where a change of placement is being considered. Where required, our OTs can also attend SEND Tribunals as expert witnesses.
Regardless of who commissions us, our recommendations are based on the individual’s needs, informed by information gathering, standardised assessment, clinical observation and professional reasoning. We consider the whole person, their environment and the everyday activities they need or want to do.
Where circumstances have changed or significant time has passed before a hearing, we can also provide addendum reports to ensure the Tribunal has up-to-date Occupational Therapy evidence.