Adaptations for disabilities
Updated: 20 May 2013
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We carry out adaptations for people across all sectors of the housing market including the grants scheme for the private sector so that they can live comfortably in their own homes. During the year we spent £28m (£13.7m public, £13.6m private and £0.77m housing associations) on adaptations.
- In 2011/12 we carried out 1,822 adaptations in our houses.
- In the private sector we approved 1,337 Disabled Facilities Grants to the value of just over £12.4m.
- We paid Disability Adaptation Grants for 767 housing association properties.
Review of the Adaptations Service
A review has been led out by the Housing Executive with representatives also playing a key role in the many inter-agency groups set up as part of the review process. The review is now at an advanced stage with a first draft of the main review report and a series of supplementary reports having been completed. Draft key findings and recommendations have been considered by all stakeholders and a draft review report has been finalised by both Departments. A meeting with the Department for Social Development to take place this year will work towards seeking endorsement from the respective Ministers and public consultation will then follow.
Supporting People
In 2011/12 eight new Supporting People schemes went on site which will provide 96 units of accommodation for people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, and dementia.Supporting People schemes provide services to 23,000 vulnerable people during the year.
Achievements in 2011/12 included:
- Continued monitoring and review of Supporting People services, including 180 contract meetings and 60 validation visits and also a number of financial validation visits;
- Implementation of a new Quality Assessment Framework;
- Research commenced on the future role of sheltered housing and the strategic review of temporary homeless accommodation was completed;
- Research was commissioned in relation to Floating Support services and the two Home Improvement Agencies;
- Continued support was provided for organisations to consider collaborative working and mergers which led to two mergers and one example of collaborative working;
- Production of a value for money policy and methodology including the introduction of a new financial monitoring and review template;
- Development and publication of the 3 year 2011/12 - 2013/14 supported housing development programme;
- Development of a draft Supporting People strategy was progressed. However, DSD requested this be put on hold pending a review of the Supporting People Commissioning Body;
- In-year non-recurrent hardship funding to applicants against existing services as assessed against the agreed rationale;
- Accreditation of Supporting People providers continued during the year in keeping with the agreed 3 year cycle.
