Accredited: OCN London

A competency‑based programme providing a strong foundation in assessing, prescribing and installing simple aids of daily living.

Course Format:

• One or two‑day face‑to‑face training in person or live online
• Pre‑course and post‑course learning materials
• Portfolio completion required

Who it is for:
Staff new to assessing and prescribing simple equipment who require confidence, structure and safe decision‑making skills.

Outcomes:

• Foundational knowledge of daily living equipment
• Safe, proportionate assessment and installation
• Clear understanding of when to escalate or refer back to OT
• Certificate issued on completion

Accredited: OCN London

An advanced programme for staff who require higher‑level assessment, analysis and risk‑based decision‑making.

Course Format:

• One‑ or two‑day advanced training, in person or live online
• Pre‑course and post‑course learning materials
• Portfolio completion and an in‑depth case study

Who it is for:
Experienced assessors or staff working in complex, community‑based or higher‑risk contexts.

Outcomes:

• Strengthened analytical and risk‑assessment skills
• Confident justification of decisions
• Enhanced clinical reasoning, proportionality, know when to refer on
• Certificate issued on completion

OCN Accredited (pending)
Trusted Assessor: Assessing and Adapting the Home
Two‑day course with pre‑ and post‑course learning materials

This advanced course focuses on the knowledge and competencies required to support Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) applications, major adaptations and complex home‑environment assessments.

Course Format:

• Equivalent of two‑day face‑to‑face training, in person, or live online and hybrid options
• Pre‑course reading and reflection
• Post‑course consolidation materials
• Portfolio completion based on OCN assessment criteria

Learning outcomes include:
Participants will learn to:

1. Understand the purpose of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) and how they relate to home access.
2. Complete robust, defensible risk assessments, including identifying hazards and evaluating risk vs. benefit.
3. Know when and how to prescribe daily living equipment and adaptations, including criteria for simple vs. major adaptations.
4. Understand environmental factors that influence adaptation needs and outcomes.
5. Measure accurately for major adaptations, considering both individual and environmental requirements.
6. Evaluate options for daily living equipment adaptations, including reviewing installed examples and justifying decisions.
7. Understand the remit of the Trusted Assessor and when to refer to Occupational Therapy services.

Who it is for:
Trusted Assessors, housing professionals, adaptations staff and practitioners supporting DFG pathways. Learners will need to have completed level 2 or level 3 before attending.

Outcomes:

• Clear, proportionate assessment and recommendation skills
• Confidence in identifying appropriate major adaptations
• Enhanced understanding of risk, legislation and referral criteria
• Suitable for organisations navigating high‑demand DFG pathways

A one‑day update for staff who have already completed Level 2 or Level 3 and require renewed competence and confidence.

Content Includes:

• Updated good‑practice guidance
• Reinforcing safe decision‑making
• Skills refresh for assessment and justification
• DOTS Training & Consultancy certification provided

OCN Accredited (pending)

Designed for technicians who install, deliver or set up simple daily living equipment.

Course Format:

• One‑day face‑to‑face training
• Based on safe, proportionate and timely installation
• Focused on minor adaptations without delay

Outcomes:

• Safe installation and equipment checks
• Correct fitting and troubleshooting
• Understanding when to escalate concerns
• Certificate issued by DOTS Training & Consultancy

OCN Accredited (pending)
One‑day course with structured pre‑ and post‑course learning materials

This introductory course provides a clear, practical understanding of risk in relation to standard Occupational Therapy equipment provision. It goes deeper into contraindications than Levels 2 and 3, and gives learners the tools to document decisions clearly and work more safely.

Course format

• One‑day face‑to‑face or live online delivery
• Pre‑course reading and preparation
• Post‑course consolidation activities
• Assessment based on OCN‑aligned criteria (pending accreditation)

What the course covers
Learners will develop:

• A clear understanding of risk, including the benefits and limitations of issuing equipment
• Insight into contraindications (in more depth than Levels 2 and 3)
• Understanding of capacity and fluctuating capacity, and what this means for safe equipment provision
• Understanding the MCA and the MHA in relation to equipment provision
• Knowledge of when equipment may not be appropriate and when to refer on to other services
• Confidence in documenting what was provided and why, with defensible reasoning
• Safer, more consistent pathways for equipment provision

Outcomes
By the end of the course, learners will:

• Make safer, more confident issuing decisions
• Document clearly and proportionately
• Understand escalation and referral points
• Contribute to smoother processes across teams and services
• Enhance safety, consistency and quality within their role

Who it’s for
Staff who issue, install or check daily living equipment, new assessors, and those seeking a stronger foundation alongside Level 2 or Level 3.