We have a commitment to our customers to do everything in our power to help those who can no longer manage to live independently in their homes by either helping them move to more suitable accommodation or by making adaptations to their homes. Resources for these adaptations are limited so we have developed a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory Disabled Adaptations policy which operates according to the Disability Discrimination Act (2005), the Human Rights Act 1998.
Key points:
- We have an annual budget to spend solely on aids & adaptations
- We support and assist our customers through the process of applying to the local authority for a Disabled Facilities Grant
- In some cases, we jointly fund adaptations with some local authorities
- We will employ our own Occupational Therapists when required to reduce waiting times
- We allocate homes with adaptations to households that will benefit from the adaptations
- We have an established Disabled Adaptations Forum (which includes customers who have been through the adaptations process)
Next steps:
If you are experiencing difficulties in maintaining your independence in your home, or to request an adaptation for your home, contact your Neighbourhood Manager or call Tracey Skillicorn on 0161 610 4614.
You will be asked to supply a written report from an Occupational Therapist, which you can get from your GP. Once we have received the report and your application, your case will be put to the Disabled Adaptation Panel.
The Application Process:
Applications are prioritised in date order from when the request was first made and will only be considered if accompanied by an Occupational Therapists report.
If a request requires a major adaptation (e.g. a stair lift), the panel will discuss more suitable accommodation with the customer.
This process could take between 3 - 12 months, and also depends on whether funding is available from your local authority. Minor adaptations usually take around 3 months.
50+ and supported housing
Irwell Valley has a number of 50+ and supported housing schemes which allow people to live independently while having additional care and support on hand if required.
Click here to find out more.
You can also find out more information by downloading our Aids & Adaptations information leaflet.
Service Standards for the Aids & Adaptations Team
- Help you apply for an Aid & Adaptation where requested including applying to your local authority for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) - 100%
- Acknowledge all requests for an adaptation within 3 working days of receipt - 100%
- Arrange for an Occupational Therapist to set up an appointment with you within 10 working days of your request if delays are occuring with your local authority - 100%
- Order Minor Adaptations within 3 working days of receipt - 100%
- Confirm to you if we are able to fit the adaptation within 10 working days of receipt of an Occupational Therapists report recommending an adaptation - 100%
- Condsider for major adaptations that your local authority helps us towards the cost - 100%
- Let you know in writing and the reasons for this within 10 working days if we do not think that you need an adaptation following receipt of an Occupational Therapists report - 100%
- Give you 10 working days to appeal any decisions we make following receipt of our decision - 100%
- Issue you with a Customer Contract before any works starts on your home - 100%
- Monitor your satisfaction with our service - 100%