Practical
How much does a private occupational therapist cost in the UK?
Private occupational therapists in the UK typically charge £150–£350 for an initial assessment and £80–£150 per hour for follow-up sessions. Medico-legal work and expert-witness reports are charged at higher rates (£180–£300 per hour). Costs vary by region, specialism, and the OT’s seniority.
Typical rates
- Initial assessment: £150–£350 (often 60–120 minutes, sometimes including a written report)
- Follow-up therapy session: £80–£150 per hour
- Home visit travel: usually charged at a per-mile rate or as travel time at the hourly rate
- Medico-legal work: £180–£300 per hour
- Court attendance: typically a day rate (£1,200–£2,500)
London and the South East tend to be at the upper end. More remote areas can be lower, but home-visit travel may push the total cost up. Highly specialist OTs (neurological rehab, expert witness, paediatric autism) command higher rates than generalists.
How private OT is usually paid for
The four most common funding routes are:
- Self-funded — the individual or their family pays directly
- Personal-injury settlement — funded by interim payments or a final settlement
- Insurance — many private health-insurance policies cover OT; permanent-health and income-protection policies often do too
- Employer — some employers fund vocational OT support as part of a return-to-work plan
What affects the total cost
Most private OT engagements end up costing between £1,000 and £5,000 in total, depending on:
- How complex the goals are (a single home assessment vs ongoing rehabilitation)
- How many sessions are needed and over what timeframe
- Whether home visits or workplace visits are required
- Whether equipment or adaptations are part of the plan (costs may include sourcing or supervising)
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