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Housing Department - Adaptations
The Council will always give consideration to requests from
tenants who need to have their homes altered or adapted because of
a disability to enable them to remain in their own home, whilst
making the best use of resources available. These are called
adaptations.
Who pays and arranges for adaptations to be done?
Barrow Borough Council will fund all adaptation work from
minor works right through to major alterations. It is usual
for minor works to be requested through occupational therapists but
clients can contact the Housing Department direct to discuss any
problems they are experiencing. All requests are subject to
approval by the department, giving due consideration to minimal and
essential and reasonable and practical.
Examples of minor works:
- raised toilet seats
- bath rails
- bath hoists
- banister rails
- lever taps
- grab rails / hand rails
Examples of major works:
- wheelchair ramps
- step alterations
- toilet/shower combined unit
- stairlifts
- level access showers
- over-bath showers
Please note: Barrow Borough Council will make
the final decision on whether an adaptation request can be
met.
What can be done?
This will depend on your circumstances. In every case,
the needs of each individual disabled person will be taken into
account.
The provision of additional facilities will, in most cases, be
provided within the existing home, extensions to the property will
be the exception rather than the rule.
Major adaptations are subject to an assessment carried out by
the occupational therapy team within Social Services. A
referral will be made to the Housing Department who will then make
a decision on whether the suggested recommendation is reasonable
and practical.
Who is eligible?
Requests for aids and adaptations will normally only be
considered if the disabled person is either the tenant or his/her
partner, or a member of the tenant's immediate family and must be
permanently resident in the household.
Requests for work will not be approved where an application to
purchase the property has been received. Where there are
large arrears of rent, requests will only be met after
consideration by the Tenancy Services Officer.
What would happen if I need to move?
In order to make best use of the Council's limited resources,
tenants will be encouraged to transfer to accommodation that is
more suited to their needs and requirements if they are unable to
use the existing facilities in their present dwelling.
Tenants of houses who are unable to manage stairs, and who require
level access bathing and bedroom facilities will be encouraged
wherever possible, to transfer to ground floor accommodation rather
than have expensive adaptation work carried out in a property which
is unsuitable for their needs. However, there may be certain
occasions when a transfer to another property is not practicable,
in which case adaptation work will be considered.
Non-Fixed Equipment
Non-fixed equipment, such as bath seats, bath boards and
shower stools are provided by Social Services following an
assessment. If you feel you would benefit from such non-fixed
equipment, please contact Social Services direct.
For more information