Additional Services

Occupational Therapy, Moving & Handling and Sensory Service

These additional services will support service users and carers through the use of equipment and adaptation, with a focus on sustaining and promoting independence and well-being. They will be provided by the following three teams:

  • Occupational Therapy (OT)
  • Moving and Handling
  • Sensory Impairment 

Occupational Therapy Team

The Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants are based within the six locality teams in the Borough. They will complete assessments of need, working alongside support planners and social workers to ensure vulnerable individuals with needs maintain their safety and independence where possible within the home. This may include advice, equipment and / or adaptations.  

They will work alongside other professionals including District Nurses, Physiotherapists and Hospital Discharge team's to establish an individual's needs and provide appropriate interventions.
They will liaise with Home Care providers and informal carers to support them in their caring role.

If adaptations are recommended then the Occupational Therapists will work with the Home Improvement Agency to ensure that the adaptations are necessary and appropriate to meet the individuals need.

Examples of support that can be recommended includes:

  • Bath equipment
  • Grab rails
  • Toileting equipment
  • Ramps
  • Bathroom adaptations
  • Stairlifts
Assessments by the Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants are based on individual needs and adaptation provision follows statutory Housing Legislation Guidance and Local Policies.

Referral for an Occupational Therapy assessment can be made by contacting the Adult Care Duty Number on 0300 303 8886 or using the contact form via the Stay Well Portal.

Please ensure that if you are referring someone that you have their permission to do so.

Moving and Handling Service

The Moving and Handling Service sits within the East locality team but covers the whole borough. It is made up of a Moving and Handling Adviser, an Occupational Therapist and an Occupational Therapy Assistant.

They complete moving and handling risk assessments in people's own homes and supported living settings and advise on techniques or provide equipment that enables the safe transfers within the home, for example this could be in and out of bed or a chair or commode. The equipment that can be provided includes:

  • Slide sheets to help move a person around the bed
  • Transfer boards
  • Standing aids
  • Standing and full body hoists and slings
  • Ceiling track hoists
Moving and Handling risk assessments are thorough and completed in line with relevant Health and Safety legislation and Rochdale Adult Care Policies and Procedures.

 Provision of moving and handling equipment is always carefully considered.

The Moving and Handling Service work closely with families and Home Care Providers so that they are using the correct techniques or using the equipment provided correctly when assisting in the moving and handling of a person. This is to ensure that everyone involved is as safe as they can be.

The Moving and Handling Service works alongside their colleagues in Adult Care, District Nurses, Physiotherapists and Hospital Discharge Teams to join up our working so that people are not asked the same questions by different health and social care professionals.

The Moving and Handling Service also visit care homes in the borough to offer advice and support to ensure that residents and staff in care homes are keeping safe when it comes to moving and handling.

Referral for a Moving and Handling assessment can be made by contacting the Adult Care Duty Number on 0300 303 8886 or using the contact form via the Stay Well Portal.

Please ensure that if you are referring someone that you have their permission to do so.

Sensory Impairment Team

The Sensory Impairment team work with those who have a:

  • Visual impairment
  • Hearing impairment
  • Dual sensory
  • Deafblind impairment
The sensory impairment team completes a specialist sensory assessment of needs to identify any specific areas of support. A support plan is created to help people at risk from harm or becoming dependent on others due to their sight loss, hearing loss or dual sensory loss. This may include the issue of basic equipment, such as:

  • Grab rails
  • Liquid level indicator
  • Room loop system
They also deliver and evaluate professional rehabilitation interventions for visually impaired people to enhance their skills and confidence, to maximise their independence around the home and whilst out in the community through the use of various mobility aids.

  • Symbol cane
  • White walking stick
  • Long cane
  • Mobility and Orientation training
The sensory team holds a weekly drop in every Wednesday morning for advice and support and for those whose main communication is British Sign Language (BSL), to support and assist with formal issues such as:

  • Finance
  • Legal issues
  • Benefits
The BSL drop in Session is held on the ground floor of Number One Riverside, room G12 each Wednesday from 9am to 12pm

Referral for a Sensory Assessment can be made by contacting the Adult Care Duty Number on 0300 303 8886 or using the contact form via the Stay Well Portal.

Please ensure that if you are referring someone that you have their permission to do so.

For BSL support you can also SMS text Tracey Harrison, Senior Sensory Intervention Officer on 07976059587

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