Face-to-Face Occupational Therapy Assessments and Training
Practical, independent Occupational Therapy support tailored to your needs.
Sometimes you know that something is becoming difficult, unsafe or no longer working, but you are not sure what needs to change.
I provide private face-to-face Occupational Therapy assessments, advice and practical training for adults and their families. My role is to understand what is happening in everyday life, identify the difficulties and risks, and help you find practical ways forward.
As an Occupational Therapist, I look at the whole picture — the person, their abilities, the activities they need or want to do, the support available to them and the environment in which they live.
Every assessment is individual. I will discuss your needs with you before arranging a visit so that we can establish whether Occupational Therapy is appropriate and what you would like the assessment to achieve.
How I can help
Depending on your individual circumstances, I can provide:
· Functional Occupational Therapy assessments — looking at how a health condition, disability, injury or change in ability is affecting everyday activities and independence.
· Home safety assessments — identifying difficulties or risks within the home and recommending practical ways to improve safety and independence.
· Equipment and home adaptation assessments — considering whether equipment, changes to the environment or adaptations could make everyday activities easier or safer.
· Mobility and transfer assessments — looking at how you manage activities such as getting in and out of a chair or bed and moving around your home.
· Moving and handling assessments and practical carer training — helping family carers understand safer ways of supporting someone with everyday moving and handling and transfers.
· Housing needs assessments — considering how a person's functional needs interact with their current accommodation and identifying relevant housing requirements.
· Independent Occupational Therapy reports — where a written professional report is required following assessment.
If you are unsure whether your situation falls within one of these areas, you are welcome to get in touch. I will let you know whether I am able to help and, if the issue falls outside my professional scope, I will tell you.
What happens when you contact me?
Before booking an assessment, I will ask you for some information about your circumstances, what you are currently finding difficult and what you would like help with. We can discuss over email or a quick phone call.
This allows me to establish the likely scope of the assessment and provide you with an indication of the time involved and expected cost before you decide whether to proceed.
If we agree to go ahead, I will complete a face-to-face assessment at your home/ your loved one's home.
During the visit, I will ask you to show me how you and/or your loved one currently manage particular everyday activities and what you struggle with. This helps me understand not only what is difficult, but why it is difficult, and make recommendations around what may help.
Depending on what we have agreed, the assessment may be followed by practical recommendations, training, equipment or adaptation advice, liaison with others involved in your care, or a written Occupational Therapy report.
Practical training for family carers
Supporting someone physically can feel daunting, particularly when their mobility or abilities have changed.
Where appropriate, I can provide individual face-to-face moving and handling training in your home/ your loved one's home.
Rather than generic training, we can look at the actual activities you need to manage — for example, supporting your loved one to stand, transfer or move safely within their home.
The aim is to help you understand what your loved one can safely do for themselves, how you can support them appropriately, and when further professional assessment, equipment or assistance may be needed.
Training and recommendations will always be based on the individual circumstances identified during the assessment.
Housing needs assessments
I can provide independent Occupational Therapy assessment where there are concerns about whether someone's accommodation meets their functional needs.
This may include considering access to and within the property, steps and stairs, bathroom and toilet facilities, kitchen access, mobility, transfers, equipment, space requirements and other relevant environmental barriers.
Any recommendations or conclusions are based on the findings of my Occupational Therapy assessment and my independent professional opinion.
An Independent Occupational Therapy assessment cannot guarantee a particular housing decision or outcome.
Fees
I believe in transparency and that it is important to understand the likely costs before deciding whether to book an assessment. No hidden fees.
My fees are:
· Professional Occupational Therapy time — £90 per hour.
This may include face-to-face initial assessment, review visits, review of relevant documentation, report writing, professional liaison, preparation and other professional work required as part of the agreed instruction.
Professional time is recorded and charged in five-minute increments, so you are charged according to the actual time spent.
· Travel time — £40 per hour
Travel time is calculated from my base in the HA postcode area and is based on the actual travel time incurred on the day.
· Mileage/ travel costs
Reasonable travel expenses, including public transport and other necessary local travel costs or mileage, are charged separately.
How will I know how much my assessment is likely to cost?
Before you confirm your appointment, I will provide an indication of the expected professional time, travel requirements and likely overall cost, based on the information available at that stage.
The amount of time required will vary depending on the type and complexity of the assessment and whether you require additional work such as a written report.
You will only be charged for the actual time spent.
Payment
For direct private instructions, a payment on account of approximately 50% of the minimum estimated professional and travel fees is required to confirm your appointment.
This amount will be deducted from your final invoice.
The remaining balance, based on the actual professional time, travel time and expenses incurred, is payable within 7 days of the invoice date.
Independent professional advice
My recommendations are based on the information available to me, the findings of my assessment and my independent professional judgement as an Occupational Therapist.
Where a report is being obtained to support an application, review or other decision-making process, I cannot guarantee that my assessment or recommendations will result in a particular outcome.
My role is to provide an independent Occupational Therapy opinion based on the person's assessed needs.
About me
I am Monica Iofciu, an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist and founder of Handlewell Academy.
My work combines my professional experience as an Occupational Therapist with my understanding of the realities families face when someone they love needs increasing help with everyday life.
My approach is practical, calm and person-centred. I want you to understand what is happening, what your options are and what you can realistically do next.
You can read more about me on the About Me page.
Enquire about an assessment or training
If you would like to discuss a face-to-face Occupational Therapy assessment or practical training, please get in touch and briefly tell me:
· who the assessment or training is for
· what you would like help with
· the postcode where the assessment would take place
· whether you require a written report
· whether there is a particular timeframe/deadline
I will review your enquiry and let you know whether I can help, my availability and the likely cost before you decide whether to proceed.
You can contact me via the contact form below: