If you have a disability or long term health problem and are finding it difficult to manage in your home with activities like going up and down stairs, getting to the toilet, using the bath or accessing your home we can offer an assessment by an occupational therapist. The occupational therapist can give advice and also suggest equipment to improve independence.

This may include:

  • Equipment to help you in the bathroom, toilet, kitchen and bedroom lifting equipment
  • Alterations to your home eg. ramps, widen doors for wheelchairs, improve access to bathroom

Who can have this service?

You should live in Waltham Forest and:

  • Have a permanent or long term disability
  • Be caring for someone who has a disability
  • Have had a Community Care Assessment which shows you need this service

Will I have to pay towards this service?

The advice and assessment is free. The equipment is free and normally on loan. If you are a Council tenant, adaptations to property are free.

If you are a Housing Association tenant, they make their own funding arrangements. Adaptations in private or rented properties are free up to a certain value (staff will give further advice).

If you need work which costs more than that amount we will give you advice about what it will cost.

Who provides this service?

Our occupational therapists are based at one of our local Social Services Offices. Our technicians fit small items. We use contractors to do major pieces of work.

How to get this service

You can download and complete this application form and return to:

For adults who live in the north of the borough:

First Response Team - North
47 Gainsford Road
Walthamstow  E17 6QB

Tel 020 8496 3000 (via Waltham Forest Direct)
Fax 020 8496 2011
Minicom 020 8496 2002

For adults who live in the south of the borough:

First Response Team - South
Leytonstone Access Office
90 Crownfield Road
Leytonstone  E15 2AJ

Tel 020 8496 3000 (via Waltham Forest Direct)
Fax 020 8496 1203
Minicom 020 8496 1249

For children under 18:

First Response Team – Children
8 Buxton Road
Walthamstow  E17 7EJ

Tel 020 8496 3000 (via Waltham Forest Direct)
Fax 020 8496 2313

Contact one of our local Social Services Offices.

If you are having inpatient treatment at Langthorne, Whipps Cross or Chingford hospitals you will receive a service from the hospital Occupational Therapy service.

Other information

When you no longer need the equipment we give you, return it to your nearest Social Services office.

If you need small items of equipment these may not be provided by the department but we will give you information and advice to enable you to buy them yourself.

Contact us

You can contact us by: