Aim of the service:

• The service provides Assessment for and recommendation of specialist equipment and complex adaptations, to support customers and their Carer(s) in their own home.
• We follow both local and national criteria for provision.
• Consideration will always be given to seeking cost effective solutions in line with best value principles.

To qualify for adaptations in the home:

• The Customer for whom the adaptations are being considered must be eligible according to the Care Act 2014.
• The Customer must also be ‘ordinarily resident’ in the Local Authority. We are unable to assess or provide services to temporary residents.
• The adaptations must be at that Customer’s only or main residence.
• The adaptations must be ‘required for meeting the needs’ of that Customer, that is, essential or of major importance to the Customer because of the nature of their disabilities.
• Disability must be such that the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least 12 months with no prospect of significant improvement, or a deteriorating condition.

To determine a customer’s needs, it is essential that they undergo a full Assessment, and services cannot be provided if a customer will not agree to the Assessment process.

The purpose of recommending adaptations is to increase or maintain functional independence of people with permanent and substantial disabilities. The level of provision will be dependent on the needs in relation to the Customer’s disability and technical feasibility.

The planning of the adaptation will consider the Customer’s current and long-term needs.

Consideration of the role and needs of the Carer(s) and family will be of equal importance

Any property adapted must be the main residence of the Customer with a disability and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

Needs will always be met with equipment before adaptation and with low-cost adaptations before major adaptation.#

In some circumstances alternative housing, rather than adaptations may be the only viable solution.

Equipment and adaptations are provided solely to meet the needs of a customer living with a disability. and/or to help their Carer provide care. They are not provided to meet the needs of the family such as more space or separate facilities.

The customer must be able to use equipment and/or adaptations safely and it must enhance their self-care skills or help Carer(s) to provide care more effectively.

All major adaptations are subject to the authorities panel process for funding and approval.

Adults in privately owned housing will be means tested when applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant, and this may mean there is a financial contribution.

Major Adaptations will not be considered for those on the social rehousing register, although minor adaptations and equipment can be provided.

Disabled facilities grant criteria:

• A Financial means test (Private properties)
• Intends to remain in the property for a minimum period of 5 years
• May need to make a financial contribution

Customer can check Eligibility prior to Assessment – https://adaptmyhome.org.uk/meanstest/test

• If eligible for a grant, customer will be required to fund the cost of any works exceeding the £30,000 limit
• Landlord consent required
• Not just the customer who is means tested, this can be husband/wife or partner.
• Aim for the most cost-effective scheme that will meet customer’s needs.
• Major works may need planning permission which is a lengthy process.

When a householder needs major works, the council would normally ‘prescribe’ what adaptations would meet the need. A minority of customers prefer a more extensive and expensive adaptation that equally meets the need. The financial input from the council is limited to the estimated cost of the prescribed scheme of works and the householder would have to pay the difference.

Rehousing:

In some situations, rehousing will be the preferred option to carrying out major adaptations to a property because the work required is not ‘reasonable or practicable’.

Consideration will be given to the Customer’s individual needs, their family/carers and local support network prior to a recommendation for re housing being made.

Dual residence:

Where a disabled person may be cared for in more than 2 homes on a regular basis.

Only one residence will receive funding for major adaptations.

What we are not able to support with:

These relate mainly to a person’s own facilities and responsibilities as a householder.

The following list is not exhaustive and in addition the service reserves the right to refuse any request that would relate to the householder's responsibilities.

• Maintenance
• Repairs to existing facilities
• Repairs or faults
• Provision of wheelchairs
• Outside sheds
• We are unable to provide ramping unless the customer has a prescribed wheelchair from wheelchair services.
• We do not provide ramping for mobility scooters or storage, and this is the customer’s responsibility.
• We are unable to adapt communal access points, and this is the responsibility of the landlord.
• We do not assess for disabled parking bays or dropped kerbs. 
• We do not assess for sensory rooms.
• We cannot recommend pressure relieving equipment and this is the responsibility of the district nurse.
• We do not assess for seating due to no funding in Bury.
• We do not assess for the electric points when customer has purchased an electric car, this is the responsibility of the customer.
• Removal of adaptations is not the responsibility of the service, and there is no reinstatement of the property unless a specific agreement is reached with the property owner at the time of the agreement to undertake the adaptation. The exception would be stair lift, through floor lifts and tracking hoists where ceiling/walls would be made good.
• Replacement of old or damaged seating or bed/baths which are not on loan from the Community Equipment Service.
• Assessment of customers in respite needing Assessment prior to going home.
• We can only assess a customer once they are on the tenancy agreement.
• Adaptation to premises for public use or workplaces (other sources of help may be available).
• Adaptations which are required for reasons other than disability e.g. overcrowding, lack of storage, poor housing standards. Adaptations will not be considered to overcome social or economic problems.
• Ramps for privately purchased Mobility Scooters and wheelchairs.
• Extensions or adaptations for home dialysis.

Charging:

• There is no charge for minor adaptations under £1000...
• Equipment is provided on a free loan service but remains the property of the Integrated Community Equipment Services (ICES) and should be returned when no longer needed.
• Grants for adaptations over £1000, may be means tested and the customer may have a financial contribution.