Introduction.
This page is based on "Delivering housing adaptations for disabled people: a good practice guide" which was published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in June 2006. What follows is an overview of the standards of service that applicants should receive from their local councils. Most of the recommendations regarding internal structure and procedures have been omitted.
The document identifies the purpose of an adaptation as being to"modify disabling environments in order to restore or enable independent living, privacy, confidence and dignity for individuals and their families". This is based on the social model of disability which sees adaptation as providing an "individualised solution to the problems of people experiencing a disabling environment". This approach is described as the only sound foundation for work in this area.
The document acknowledges that there are currently problems with the way in which the service is delivered and that these are usually due to the unavailability of staff or funding and poor standards of communication from officials. Individual end users and his or her carers have the right to experience a seamless, joined up service.
The process of funding adaptation should be seen as one of partnership in which the key partners are the person and carers who are experiencing the disabling environment. Authorities are warned against always delivering the cheapest option as this may not fully meet the needs of the disabled person and thus become "wasted expenditure".
Dealing with initial requests for help.
The guidance recognises that initial requests for help may be received by a range of different departments. It proposes the following as essential requirements in avoiding confusion and/or duplication and ensuring that urgent cases are dealt with promptly:
Allocating low priority to people seeking help with bathing problems is cited as an example of arbitary criteria.
The document recognises that delay can occur if applicants are not asked to undertake the test of resources until after the assessment and works specification processes are complete. A preliminary enquiry about resources to be sent out in response to the initial enquiry is recommended.
The response to an initial enquiry should identify a single contact person who should remain the same throughout the process regardless of which department is taking the lead role.
The assessment process.
The guidance describes the involvement of disabled people in the assessment of their own needs as crucial. The disabled person should be recognised as the expert in his or her needs and should be carefully listened to by the relevant professionals.
With regard to disabled children and young people, assessments should take into account the developmental needs of the child, the needs of their parents and also the needs of other children in the family.
Cobining the views of disabled people with the expertise and experience of the relevant professionals should enable the provision of an inclusive and sustainable solution. It is viewed as equally important that the disabled person is provided with clear, comprehensive information and is kept fully informed about the outcome of an assessment and the progress of an adaptation,
The assessment involving major adaptations will normally be carried out by an occupational therapist. An assistant occupational therapist may be used to assess for those applications involving minor adaptations.
It is recognised good practice to incorporate an element of self-assessment into the assessment. This is described as consulting the disabled person in some way. Some disabled people will only be able to self-assess with the help of a carer or independent person and this should be provided for.
For major adaptations, self assessment is seen as providing a useful balance to the professionals' assessment although the point is made that professionals may have more knowledge of problems with particular equipment or arrangements of facilities.
Recommendations are made with regard to providing interim help when the provision of an adaptation is foreseen to be lengthy. This help may be in the form of providng equipment or temporary works.
Local authorities should also consider funding the costs of the disabled person moving to other accommodation in cases where the works will create prolonged disruption. In these cases, the wishes of the disabled person should be paramount except in the case of "most extreme risk"
The test of resources.
The test of resources is used to work out the amount, if any, that the applicant must contribute to the cost of the proposed works. The guidances says that the relevant forms and documentatation should be submitted as near as possible to the point of formal application, ie when the application form has been completed, estimates secured and the proof of title or landlord's approval submitted.
With regard to applying the test, a good practice example is given of a metropolitan borough council which employs two part-time staff solely to administer the test. They visit applicant and assist them in completing the form. They carry with them a portable photocopier to copy any supporting documents. On return to the office they check and verify the information and calculate the amount of any contribution.
All requests for financial information, the clarification of any anomalies and the communication of the outcome of the test should be treated sensitively and with the highest level of confidentiality.
Getting the work done.
The guidance requires the local authority to share the building works specification with the person that carried out the original assessment and the disabled person.
The local authority should maintain a list of approved contractors who have experience and expertise in housing adaptations. This list should be given to the applicant. Local authorities are warned not to treat applicants any less favourably if they elect to use a contractor who is not on the approved list.
Summary.
The document makes the following key points-
