Occupational therapist assessment overview

Eligible tenants and approved housing applicants with an identified need for a home modification may request a DCJ modified/adaptable home or to have their DCJ property modified.

In most cases, an occupational therapist must conduct a comprehensive assessment of the person’s needs and their home before home modification work can commence. Requests for lever style taps, removal of carpet or a handheld shower do not require an occupational therapist assessment and a letter of recommendation from a licensed health professional is sufficient.

This overview is intended to guide occupational therapists when working with DCJ, and to ensure the required documents are submitted for all home modification requests. This overview should be used in conjunction with the Home modifications guidelines and the Occupational therapist summary report.

What do I need to submit?

Occupational therapists must submit both an occupational therapist report and an accompanying occupational therapist summary report.

What do I do if I identify anything that may impact the health, safety or welfare of a client?

Health and safety issues refers to urgent home maintenance required due to health and/or safety risk/s. For example, broken glass or a loose floorboard.

Critical works refers to urgent home modifications required due to health and/or safety risk/s. For example, installation of a grab rail or strobe light smoke alarms.

• When submitting occupational therapist reports and summary reports, please advise DCJ if any health and safety issues have been identified or reported. This will allow DCJ to follow up and ensure that the reported issues are addressed and work is completed for the property and the issue is made safe.
• Clearly mark all critical works items with 'X’ on the occupational therapist summary report.
• DCJ requests all occupational therapists immediately report any health and safety issues to the Housing Contact Centre maintenance line

How and when do I submit an occupational therapist report and summary report?

An occupational therapist report and summary report is required for all home modifications except lever taps, handheld showers and removal of carpet (please refer to the home modifications guidelines).

For DCJ tenants, an occupational therapist report and summary report is required when a tenant requests modifications for the property they currently reside in.

For approved housing applicants, an occupational therapist report and summary report is required once a property has been identified and the client has indicated it is suitable for their needs.