The funding of occupational therapy assessments will now be funded by a central fund, managed by SSAFA Grants. This article will set the guidance for arranging an OT assessment using this fund.

You will no longer need to almonise for an OT assessment. 

The process is as follows;

1. Following your initial client visit, completion of Form A (except the report) and gathering of necessary documentation and evidence, if your client requires an occupational therapy assessment, send this referral form to [email protected].
2. SSAFA Grants will refer the client to the OT Practice using Enterprise, the OT Practice's central database.
3. The OT Practice will contact the client directly to arrange the visit, caseworkers or SSAFA central office will only be contacted if the OT is unable to arrange a visit or encounters any issues.
4. The visit will be a joint visit with an occupational therapist and a mobility equipment specialist so the recommendation of equipment will be contained within the report itself and there will be no need for a mandatory follow-up visit.
5. The OT Practice will arrange for the invoice to be paid with SSAFA Grants directly.
6. SSAFA's Grants Team will receive the report and email the Regional Office and caseworker with a copy.
7. The caseworker can then complete their caseworker's report with recommendations from the OT report and conduct casework as usual.

Additional Notes:

• In order for this service to run as efficiently and seamlessly as possible, please include as much information in the initial referral form to avoid any delay so that TOTP and Electric Mobility can conduct their services as quickly as they can for the beneficiary, this includes selecting the right type of assessment (standard, general or complex) when you submit the referral.

Benefits:

• TOTP already work with RAFBF with a centralised system and other major charities (RBL, RAFBF, Bank Workers Charity)
• Having a central contract with TOTP will enable us to conduct joint visits with the OT and a mobility equipment specialist.
• The process should be much more efficient, ultimately resulting in a better service for the beneficiary.
• No almonisation required by the caseworker for an OT assessment.
• If/when we experience issues with OT cases, we will be better placed to find resolution due to our contract and close working relationship with TOTP moreso than using local OT practices. 

The central pot of funding has come from TRBL so it should be noted that though we appreciate that some caseworkers do use local OT practices, the move now should be towards a new centralised process.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]