Darlington Borough Council provides adaptations to people in council accommodation who have difficulty with normal day to day activities because of age, illness or disability, have problems with walking or climbing stairs or with personal care such as bathing or using the toilet or has problems getting in and out of their home or around the rooms inside it.
What is an adaptation?
It is an alteration to your home to make it easier for you to carry out daily activities like;
- Using the toilet
- Bathing
- Preparing meals
What kind of adaptations may be available?
- Grab rails and handrails
- Stair lifts or vertical lifts
- Ramps for wheelchair users (not motorized scooters)
- Ramps are available for individual property access or if the disabled person lives in a flat with a communal entrance, to allow access to the building.
- Alterations to doors and steps
- Alterations to bathrooms or kitchens
- Providing disability equipment
Who can apply for an adaptation?
You can apply if you live in Darlington Borough Council property and you have a long term or permanent illness or disability. You do not need to be registered disabled to apply for an adaptation. You will need to be assessed by a member of the Occupational Therapy team who is employed by Social Services. To apply you should contact Social Services.
What happens next?
When Social Services receive your request the Occupational Therapy service will arrange to visit you at home to carry out an assessment of you needs. You will receive confirmation of your agreed appointment either by letter or telephone. If it is inconvenient for you another time can be arranged. An Occupational Therapist or Assistant will carry out an assessment using the Fair Access to Care (FAC’s) guidelines from the Government.
What will happen during the assessment?
You may like to ask a member of your family or a friend to be with you during the assessment. You will be asked questions about your health, disabilities and how you cope with daily activities. Any information that you give to the Occupational Therapist including medical and personal details is treated in the strictest confidence. You will be asked to show them how you carry out the tasks which are difficult for you and perhaps try out some equipment that may help you.
The Occupational Therapy staff will suggest ways of helping with your difficulties and discuss what is available to you. They may recommend adaptations to you home to your home or equipment which will help you carry out an activity more easily and safely
What happens after the assessment?
The Occupational Therapist will discuss any proposed alterations to your home with the Housing Investment Manager
The most cost effective solution to your problems will be recommended. Level Access Showers, stair lifts and ramps are always a last resort and cannot be recommended for reasons of personal choice alone.
Ramps are only installed if you are dependent on a wheelchair to enter or leave your home.
The work on your home will be carried out as soon as possible
In the case of stair lifts and ramps an out side contractor may be used.
We aim to undertake small alterations within 25 working days.
We aim to complete larger adaptations such as showers in 70 working days . The extra time is needed to carry out surveys, order materials and plan the work.
Can Darlington Borough Council refuse to carry out the work?
Yes we can. Adaptations are a discretionary service and all recommendations from the Occupational Therapy Team will be assessed by the Housing Investment Manager. If the work is not classed as reasonable or practicable then a decision will be made by a panel consisting of the Occupational Therapist Team Leader, Housing Investment Manager and Housing Estate Manager.
The Council may not carry out major adaptations where it is not considered reasonable or practicable
For example: Cases where there are concerns about the age and condition of the property, where the property will not meet the long term needs of the applicant or where the needs of the whole family cannot be met in the property
What if my home is not suitable for adaptation?
Occasionally the outcome of the assessment is that you need a more suitable property especially if your existing home is not suitable for adaptations. If this is the case your Housing Management Officer will visit you and discus your options. However if you wish to stay in your home you will be able to do so but no adaptations will be carried out.
Will I have to pay towards the adaptations?
The Council will pay for schemes of adaptation that they consider to be reasonable and practical and that have been assessed by Social Services as necessary and appropriate.
How much disruption will there be during the works?
There may be some disturbance to your home during the works particularly regarding internal alterations. This will however be kept to a minimum by the work men who will clear up afterwards
Whenever possible work men will restore or provide all existing amenities within your home at the end of each working day.
Adaptations through planned maintenance
Wherever possible we try to incorporate adaptation works into any planned capital programme works that we may be undertaking. The aim is to make our properties as accessible to all. These works include:
- Provide level access showers to all ground floor accommodation when undertaking Internal Planned Maintenance works. (Kitchen Bathroom & Rewire) or when remodelling or rebuilding sheltered accommodation.
- Incorporating level access ramping when undertaking footpath replacements schemes.
(Where practicable)
Owner Occupiers or Private Rented Housing
If you own your own home or rent your recommendation will be forwarded to Care and Repair Darlington by your Occupational Therapist. They will identify if you are eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant to help pay for the adaptation. All grants are means tested. This means you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of the work.
Contacts
To arrange an appointment for an Occupational Therapist to visit you in your home.
Contact Adult Social Care
Access & Contact Team
01325 346200