At home
The most common setting for adults, older people and younger children, and essential for adaptation and equipment advice.
How private occupational therapy works
From your first enquiry to the written report and any therapy that follows, this page sets out what to expect when you work with Private Occupational Therapy in Newcastle and the North East.
- No GP referral needed
- Quote agreed before booking
- Assessment in the right setting
- Clear written recommendations
Request a quote
Tell us a little about what you need and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.
A clear process from the first enquiry
Many people contacting a private occupational therapist for the first time are unsure what happens next or how much involvement is expected of them. Private Occupational Therapy follows the same straightforward sequence for every client: understand the need, agree the plan and cost, assess in the right setting, then put clear recommendations into writing.
Some clients need only an assessment and report. Others go on to a block of therapy with regular reviews. You decide how far to go at each stage, and nothing is booked until you have accepted a quote.
Step by step
The six stages of private OT
The same stages apply to children, adults and older people, and to professional instructions.
Enquiry
Use the enquiry form or email with a short outline of the person and the reason for getting in touch.
Initial conversation
We discuss goals, background and the most suitable type of assessment, then send a written quote.
Assessment
A visit at home, school, work or in the community, or by video where that suits the situation.
Report and recommendations
A written report sets out findings and practical recommendations for you and anyone supporting the person.
Therapy or intervention
Where it is needed, therapy sessions or a home programme work towards agreed goals.
Review
Progress is reviewed against the goals, and the plan is adjusted, continued or brought to a close.
What happens at a private OT assessment?
An occupational therapy assessment looks at how a person manages the activities that matter to them and what is getting in the way. The content varies with age and need, but most assessments share the same building blocks.
Background and goals
The therapist begins by talking through medical and developmental history, current support and the main concerns. For a child this is usually with a parent; for an adult it may include a partner or carer. Agreeing goals at this point keeps the rest of the assessment focused.
Observation and standardised assessment
The therapist then watches the person carry out everyday tasks, such as writing, dressing, preparing a drink or moving between rooms. Recognised assessment tools may be used to measure motor skills, sensory processing or functional ability, giving a reliable baseline for future reviews.
The environment
Because OT is practical, the setting itself is assessed too. That may mean the layout of a bathroom, the height of a desk, classroom noise or the demands of a particular job. A home assessment, for example, looks closely at access, bathing and stairs.
How long it takes
The length depends on the type of assessment and how many settings are involved. You will be told what to expect when the appointment is arranged.
Reports
Your occupational therapy report
The report turns the assessment into a written plan that you, and anyone you choose to share it with, can act on.
Reports are written in plain English. Their length and format depend on their purpose: a short summary for family use differs from a detailed report for an EHCP, a Disabled Facilities Grant application or a court. Medico-legal and care needs reports follow the requirements of the instructing solicitor or case manager.
A report typically includes
- Background and reason for referral
- Assessments used and observations
- Strengths and areas of difficulty
- Agreed goals
- Specific, practical recommendations
- Equipment, adaptation or therapy needs
Therapy sessions and reviews
If therapy is recommended, the number and frequency of sessions are agreed in advance and included in your quote. Sessions build skills and confidence through practical activity: a child might work on handwriting, coordination or sensory regulation, while an adult recovering from a stroke might practise kitchen tasks or getting in and out of the bath.
Strategies are shared with parents, carers and school staff so progress continues between appointments. At review, goals are checked against the baseline from the assessment, and the plan is adjusted, extended or closed depending on the progress made.
Settings
Where appointments take place
Appointments are held wherever the difficulty shows up, across Newcastle and the wider North East.
School or nursery
Classroom and playground observation, with input for teachers and SENCOs.
Workplace
Job demands and workstations assessed as part of a return to work plan.
Community
Shops, transport or leisure settings where confidence and independence matter.
Video
Used for follow-ups, parent advice and reviews where seeing someone in person is not essential.
Wider areas
Reports for professional instructions outside the region can be arranged by agreement.
Before your visit
How to prepare for an OT assessment
Little preparation is needed, but a few things help the therapist get a full picture in the time available. For children, a normal day is more useful than a special one, so there is no need to rehearse tasks.
If you are unsure what to gather, mention it when you enquire and we will advise. Parents may also find our guide to signs a child may benefit from OT helpful in organising their thoughts.
Useful to have ready
- Relevant reports or letters
- A list of current medication or diagnoses
- Examples of schoolwork, for children
- Notes on the main daily difficulties
- Details of other professionals involved
FAQs
Common questions about the process
Do I need a diagnosis before booking an assessment?
No. Many people seek an OT assessment because they want to understand a difficulty better. The report describes what the therapist observed and recommends support whether or not a diagnosis is in place.
Can I have an assessment without ongoing therapy?
Yes. Many clients need only an assessment and report, for example to support an adaptation, a school request or a claim. Therapy is offered as a separate stage if it is needed.
Who will see the report?
The report goes to you, or to the instructing professional. It is shared with schools, GPs or others only with appropriate consent.
How do I pay for an assessment?
You receive a quote first, and payment routes include self-funding, some insurance policies and legal claims. Our fees and funding page covers each option.
Ready to take the first step?
Send a few details about the person and their needs, and Private Occupational Therapy will arrange an initial conversation and a quote.