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Home adaptations for tenants with disabilities

We are keen to ensure that Residents with disabilities enjoy as much freedom as possible. For this reason, the TMO work closely with the Royal Borough's Occupational Therapy Service to help people make the most of their abilities and remain independent in their own homes.

Am I eligible for help?

The Occupational Therapy Service provides services for residents of the Borough who experience difficulty managing daily tasks in their homes because of a long-term disability. The adults services is available to people 18 years or over In addition to this, there is a therapist based within the Children with Disabilities Team for disabled children and young people up to 18 years old.

What can the Occupational Therapy Service provide?

We may be able to provide or arrange for:

  • Advice and information on managing difficulties with every day tasks around the home, caused by physical disability.
  • Equipment to help with daily living and personal care, for example, a raised toilet seat or bathing equipment.
  • Minor home adaptations such as grab rails and stair rails.
  • Major internal and external structural alterations for example, to kitchens, bathrooms or front access, by providing stair lifts, showers or ramps.
  • Information and advice for carers.
  • Information on other relevant services
  • Advice on moving and handling issues

How soon will I be seen?

The Occupational Therapy Service will always try to see you within 14 days of accepting your request for help. However, at particularly busy times we may need to operate a waiting list system. Should we receive your request whilst we have a waiting list, we will send you a letter explaining how long you may have to wait to be seen.

How do I apply for help?

The first stage is to contact your local your Occupational Therapy office. Someone who knows you may apply on your behalf if they have your permission.

The Occupational Therapy staff will arrange to visit you at home to find out how they can help you live independently in your home. They will assess what you can do for yourself and what you need assistance with. They may also need to talk to anyone who gives you help now like friends or relatives as well as your GP or district nurse. They will always ask for your permission prior to any contact being made.

They will welcome your questions and will take account of your ideas about what you need and those of your Carer. A family member or friend can also be present during your assessment and they will provide an interpreter or signer if required.

There is no charge for the assessment visit. Any equipment is provided free of charge on a permanent loan basis.

Can someone who cares for me also receive an assessment from the Occupational Therapy Service?

Yes. If a relative, friend or neighbour provides you with care or support, they are entitled to a carer’s assessment.

A carer’s assessment provides the opportunity for your carer to discuss the type of support they offer to you, and the impact that this may have on their lives. It covers issues such as whether your carer is able to take a break from caring and whether they receive enough support themselves.

Many people find the opportunity to talk about their role as a carer and the impact it may have on their life useful in itself. However, some carer’s assessments may also identify a need for certain support and/or services that can be provided by Social Services or other organisations.
Contacting the Occupational Therapy Service

Please contact the service through Social Services Line 020 7361 3013 or by visiting or writing to your local Occupational Therapy office. The Occupational Therapy Service has three locality based teams at the following sites across the Borough:

North Occupational Therapy Service

Westway Information Centre, 140 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5ND

Covering part of W2, W10, and W11 North of Notting Hill Gate and North Kensington.

Central Occupational Therapy Service (not open to personal callers)

Earls Court Neighbourhood Office, 282 Earls Court Road, London SW5 9AS

Covering W11 south of Notting Hill Gate, W8, W14, SW5, SW7

South Occupational Therapy Service

Social Services Department, Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, London SW3 5EE

Covering Chelsea, SW1, SW3, SW10

The offices are open Monday to Thursday (9am - 5pm) and Friday (9am to 4.45pm).

Where else can I get help?

For further information, please download the Occupational Therapy Service booklet.

The Occupational Therapy Service can send you a free information pack that contains addresses of suppliers of equipment such as beds, commodes, wheelchairs and walking sticks. They can advise you about organisations that you can contact yourself if they are unable to provide a service to you and will always try to put you in touch with other organisations that might be able to help.

For further information please contact us on our Freephone number: 0800 137 111 or email ContactUs@kctmo.org.uk.

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