Adaptations for disabilities
Updated: 17 May 2012
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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 £31m (£14.4m public, £14.6m private and £2.3m housing associations) on adaptations.
- In 2010/11 we spent £5.9m on major and £8.5m on minor adaptations in our houses.
- In the private sector we approved 1,143 Disabled Facilities Grants to the value of just over £11.5m.
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 2010/11 four new Supporting People schemes were commissioned and came into operation and a further four schemes went on site. These will provide 128 units of accommodation for people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, dementia and victims of domestic violence. Supporting People schemes provide services to 23,000 vulnerable people during the year.
Achievements in 2010/11 included:
- Continued monitoring and review of Supporting People service providers, including 198 contract meetings and 60 validation visits. We also introduced financial validation visits;
- Introduced a new web-based system which facilitates management information and payments to be made to service providers;
- Review and piloting of a new Quality Assessment Framework;
- Commissioning of research into the future role of sheltered housing and a strategic review of temporary homeless accommodation;
- Outstanding issues from the previous year on three unaccredited providers resolved and subsequently accredited.
- Mechanisms formalised with DSD in relation to housing associations who fail a DSD inspection.
