Children's Occupational Therapy - at home

This page offers practical guidance for supporting children with disabilities at home, including tips for adapting the home environment, choosing suitable equipment, ensuring safety, and knowing when to seek specialist occupational therapy advice. It also explains how home adaptations and equipment assessments are managed, including the role of the Community Equipment Service and Disabled Facilities Grant processes.

Helping your child take part at home

Taking part in everyday activities at home is important for all children.

Some children with disabilities may find these activities more difficult.

Simple changes at home can sometimes help your child do more things for themselves and stay safe. For example, you may choose to move their bedroom closer to a bathroom or to a downstairs room.

As a parent or carer, you are responsible for making sure your child has the supervision they need to stay safe.

Before asking for specialist support, we recommend looking at the advice and resources on this website. Many families find that trying different strategies helps their child take part more easily in everyday activities.

If you have tried these suggestions and still need support, you can:

  • contact your local therapy team for advice
  • complete a referral form to request an assessment

 

Equipment

Some children may benefit from equipment to help them take part in everyday activities more safely or independently.

Many items can be bought from shops or online. These may include:

  • extra-high stair gates
  • magnetic cupboard locks
  • adjustable highchairs
  • seating and positioning equipment

Products change regularly, so it may be helpful to search online for the most suitable option for your child.

You can find information about specialist suppliers in the links and useful resources section.

 

Specialist equipment assessment

If suitable equipment cannot be bought commercially, an Occupational Therapist may carry out an assessment.

The assessment may involve equipment suppliers or specialist companies to help find the best solution for your child.

If specialist equipment is recommended, it may be provided on loan through the Community Equipment Service.

The service will arrange:

  • delivery
  • maintenance
  • collection when the equipment is no longer needed

As a parent or carer, you are responsible for:

  • using the equipment safely
  • following any instructions provided
  • keeping the equipment in good condition

You will be given contact details if you need support or repairs.

 

Home safety

Keeping children safe at home is important for every family.

If you are worried about your child's safety because of their disability, support and advice are available.

Your health visitor, social worker or other professionals involved with your family may also be able to help.

Before asking for specialist support, you may find it useful to complete a home safety checklist.

Useful resources include:

These resources can help you:

  • identify possible risks
  • think about practical solutions
  • improve safety at home

You may also find these organisations helpful:

 

How we support home safety

If you have worked through the available advice and tried the recommended strategies but still have serious safety concerns, Children's Occupational Therapy may be able to help.

We provide support at different levels.

Universal support

Universal support is available to all families.

This includes:

  • the Home Audit Tool
  • Home Safety Recommendations
  • information and resources on this website

Targeted support

Targeted support may include advice and guidance for:

  • parents and carers
  • school and nursery staff
  • other professionals working with your child

Specialist support

Some children may need specialist Occupational Therapy support.

This is usually when a child has a disability and changes to the home may be needed to help them take part safely in daily life.

For this service, a disability is a condition that has a significant long-term effect on a person's ability to carry out everyday activities.

Where specialist support is needed, Occupational Therapists work closely with:

  • the child
  • their family
  • other professionals involved in their care

We look for the safest and least restrictive way to support your child's independence and participation.

This work is always carried out as part of a team approach.

 

Home adaptations

After an assessment, we may recommend changes to your home.

These changes may help your child:

  • stay safe
  • become more independent
  • access different areas of the home

The process depends on whether you rent or own your home.

If you rent your home

If you live in private rented housing or a council property, the Occupational Therapist may work with your landlord or housing provider to discuss any recommended changes.

If you own your home

If you own your home, you may choose to arrange and pay for some adaptations yourself.

 

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs)

A small number of children may need larger changes to their home.

These changes must be assessed as:

  • necessary and appropriate
  • reasonable and practical

If this applies to your child, the Occupational Therapist will work with the local Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) team.

The Occupational Therapist will:

  • assess your child's needs
  • recommend any changes that may be needed

The Occupational Therapy service does not decide whether funding is approved. Funding decisions are made through the Disabled Facilities Grant process.

For more information, read:

Cerebra's guide to the Disabled Facilities Grant process 

You can also watch the video below to learn more about:

  • Disabled Facilities Grants
  • who can apply
  • how the process works

Below is a video that explains what Disabled Facility Grants are and who can apply.