Home Assessments

Occupational therapy assessment in the environment your child knows best

What is a home assessment?

A home assessment is an occupational therapy assessment carried out in your own home, so we can see how your child manages everyday activities in the environment they know best. We look at:

Home routines: how they manage mealtimes, dressing, washing and bedtime in their own space
Sensory environment: how the home setting affects comfort, regulation and behaviour
Family interaction: how they engage with parents, siblings and everyday home life
Practical recommendations: strategies suited to your specific home layout and routines

Our home assessments are autism-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, meaning we respect and value different ways of thinking and being while identifying practical support needs in the setting where your family spends the most time.

The home visit pathway

  1. Enquiry & triage

    We'll have an initial conversation to understand your concerns, confirm your home is within our visiting area, and check whether a home assessment is the right fit.

  2. Information gathering

    We may ask you to complete questionnaires and, with your permission, gather information from your child's school or other professionals involved.

  3. Home visit assessment

    We come to you. Assessment sessions take place in your own home, using play-based activities and observation of daily routines in the space your child actually lives in.

  4. Feedback conversation

    We'll have a conversation with you (and your child if appropriate) to share our findings and discuss recommendations in plain language.

  5. Written report & recommendations

    You'll receive a written report with recommendations tailored to your home and routines, which you can share with schools or other professionals.

What to expect

Practical timelines, clear scope, and plain-language feedback are built into every home assessment pathway.

Session structure

Home visits are typically 60-90 minutes. We work at the child or young person's pace, in their own space, and will discuss what works best for your household.

Visiting area & timeframes

We will confirm whether your home falls within our current visiting area and discuss waiting times at enquiry. Once sessions begin, the process typically takes 4-6 weeks from first visit to receiving your written report.

Scope of assessment

Our home assessments focus on functional skills, sensory processing and participation in daily routines within your own home. We do not provide formal autism diagnosis, but our assessments can inform understanding of functional needs and support requirements.

What’s in your report

Our written reports are clear and practical, designed to be shared with schools, other professionals, or used to plan support at home. A Sensphere home assessment report typically includes:

  • Background information
  • Assessment findings
  • Strengths and abilities
  • Areas of need
  • Home-specific recommendations
  • Recommendations for school
  • Next steps