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Aids and Adaptations

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What are aids and adaptations?

We want you to be able to enjoy your home and live comfortably. If you, or a family member, find it difficult to access parts of your home, we may be able to help make things easier for you.

Your home may be able to be adapted to make it easier for you to live independently. An aid or adaptation could be as small as a hand rail or lever tap, or as big as a ramp to enable easier access to your property or a wet room to make it easier to shower.

You can also get advice and guidance from your GP who can put in touch with an Occupational Therapist or the social care team at your local authority.

Minor adaptations

Minor adaptations are those costing less than £750.

Minor adaptations can include the fitting of: 

  • grab rails or handrails

  • specialist window openers

  • lever taps to washbasins, sinks and baths

  • door entry systems

Major adaptations

Major adaptations are those costing £750 or more. They are usually funded through a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

Major adaptations can include the fitting of:

  • a level-access shower to replace a bath

  • a permanent ramp to a doorway

  • a stair lift or through-floor lift

  • internal alterations to walls and doorways.

What to do if you need an adaptation

  1. If you’re having difficulty getting into or around your home, we may be able to help by carrying out minor adaptations.

  2. To help us decide what kind of help you need, we will ask you to fill in a self-assessment form at the bottom of this page. This asks you to describe the problems you are experiencing and what would help you.

  3. Major adaptations that cost £750 or more are usually funded through a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), which is provided by your local authority. Find out more about DFG eligibility and how to apply on Gov.UK

  4. You can also get advice and guidance from the social care team at your local authority. They have specialised occupational therapists who can advise and may also be able to provide equipment that can help you, which we would not be able to provide.

  5. If you’d like to make a change that involves electrics or plumbing (for example, installing an electric shower) you’ll need to use a certified contractor once we have given you permission to make the improvement.

  6. Where needed, you’ll also have to make sure you have the right planning permission for any improvements, which is usually done through the planning department of your local authority.

  7. Remember to always ask our permission before making any changes to your home, and please contact us if you have any questions.

  8. You can also get advice and guidance from the social care team at your local authority. They have specialised occupational therapists who can advise and may also be able to provide equipment that can help you, which we would not be able to provide.

What will we do when we receive your enquiry?

  1. We will assess the information that you have shared with us. If we have any questions, or need to discuss anything with you. We will get in touch.

  2. We will install most minor adaptations that you request without an occupational therapist’s recommendation. We aim to do this within 28 days.

  3. In some situations, we may need a more detailed assessment. If this is the case, we will ask you to contact the social care team at your local authority and ask for an Occupational Therapist assessment.

  4. The Occupational Therapist will arrange to visit your home and advise you on the best way of adapting it to meet your needs.

  5. If an occupational therapist identifies that you need a major adaptation to your home, and the local authority have agreed to fund it through the Disabled Facilities Grant, we will work with them to ensure that your major adaptation is completed as soon as possible.

  • We will assess the information that you have shared with us. If we have any questions, or need to discuss anything with you. We will get in touch.

  • We will install most minor adaptations that you request without an occupational therapist’s recommendation. We aim to do this within 28 days.

  • In some situations, we may need a more detailed assessment. If this is the case, we will ask you to contact the social care team at your local authority and ask for an Occupational Therapist assessment

  • The Occupational Therapist will arrange to visit your home and advise you on the best way of adapting it to meet your needs.

  • If an occupational therapist identifies that you need a major adaptation to your home, and the local authority have agreed to fund it through the Disabled Facilities Grant, we will work with them to ensure that your major adaptation is completed as soon as possible.

Request an adaptation

Request an adaptation