Overview from Foundations

1. National Body for Home Improvement Agencies
Improving Delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant
DFG Champions
Roadshows
April/May 2017

2. Roadshow
24 April 2017 - Bristol

3. WELCOME
TO
BRISTOL

5. RECAP

6. DFG v RRO

7. Use of RRO Policies
No Policy Has Policy
• Since 2008 LAs have been
able to develop their own
policy to improve the delivery
of DFG
• 47% of Local authorities do
NOT use a RRO policy for
adaptations

8. Use of ‘Prescribed Form’
Prescribed Form Bespoke Form
• Since 2008 LAs have been
able to develop their own
more ‘user-friendly’ and less
bureaucratic forms
• 45% of Local authorities still
use the ‘prescribed form’

9. CHANGE

10. Barriers to
Change
• Permission or Efficacy?
DFG

11. Lone Wolves
Build change by expertise and information – through
advocacy, oversight, contributing to committees,
public comments and other forms of consultation
Organisers
Build change by growing leaders – identifying, recruiting
and supporting future leaders in a distributed network:
building a community and protecting its strength
Mobilisers
Build change by mobilising people – being able to
call on large numbers of people to contribute,
engage in and take action

12. REBEL

13. Troublemakers v Rebels
Troublemaker Rebel
Complain Create
Me-focussed Mission-focused
Anger Passion
Pessimist Optimist
Energy-sapping Energy-generating
Alienate Attract
Problems Possibilities
Alone Together

14. ROAR

15. School for
Change
Agents
• http://theedge.nhsiq.nhs.
uk/school/
• FREE TRAINING

16. • We're seeking partners (HIAs, Local
Authorities or Suppliers) to be at the
forefront of a new approach –
making change happen by working
together
• Working with the Social Change
Agency to take a fresh look at DFG
delivery
• Moving on from “systems thinking”
• Max cost would be £1,200 plus VAT
Social
Change
Agency
• DFG Transformation
Proposal

17. Question Time
With introduction from the Royal College of
Occupational Therapists

18. Works v Staffing Costs
Work Type Average
Staffing
Average
Works
% Staff Costs
Level Access Shower £857 £4,782 17.93%
Stairlift (straight) £506 £1,927 26.30%
Stairlift (more complex) £814 £4,693 17.36%
Convert room for downstairs WC/washroom £1,431 £10,134 14.12%
Build downstairs extension for WC washroom £2,290 £23,199 9.87%
Build downstairs extension for bedroom and en-
suite facilities
£2,512 £34,578 7.27%

19. Typical DFG Staffing Costs
0%
16%
31%
29%
17%
7%
Level Access Shower
Initial Enquiry
OT
Grants Officer
Technical Officer
Caseworker
Admin
Total Cost:
£857

20. Trusted
Assessor
Training
• NEW Courses
Coming Soon

21. dfgtenders.co.uk
Free to use for HIAs and Local Authorities
Small charge to builders on awarded jobs

22. How it works
• Schedule of standard works items for a shower adaptation
• Local builders submit their prices for each item
• Technical officer inputs quantities for each job
• System generates instant quote from every contractor
• Choose successful quote – instant email to contractor

24. Consultation on the 10 Quality Statements

25. 10. Value for money
• Local Authorities provide value for money home adaptations
• Regular review of specifications
• Efficient procurement through frameworks / tender portals
• Engagement with the supply chain
• Management of contractors
• Aspirational design / client choice
• Recycling

26. 9. Housing Options
• Disabled people will be supported to move home if they want
to.
• Housing options advice
• Register of adapted properties (across tenures)
• Support to move home available

27. 8. Tenure neutral approach
• Disabled people can access assistance with adaptations
regardless of their tenure
• Protocols in place with housing associations
• Equivalent procedures for retained council housing
• Awareness raising with private landlords

28. 7. Assistance Policy
• Local Authorities have a policy in place that allows DFG
funding to meet local needs
• Current Housing Assistance / RRO policy that addresses:
• Works costing more than £30k
• Use of the test of resources
• Appeals process (not fettering discretion)
• Appropriate (minimal) bureaucracy
• Review process

29. 6. Timescales
• Disabled people know from the outset how long an adaptation
is likely to take to complete
• Timescales are published as part of service standards
• Timescales are monitored and reported
• Prioritisation is used where appropriate
• NHS Number is logged against all cases
• Benchmarking with other areas

30. 5. Staffing
• Local Authorities deploy staff to deliver efficiently and
effectively
• Single person responsible for customer journey
• Co-location of staff (OT, caseworkers, technical officers)
• Trusted assessors
• Disabled staff

31. 4. Combined services
• Disabled people do not have to search out other services
• Single holistic assessment
• Home adaptations are delivered collaboratively with other
complementary services including:
• Equipment and minor adaptations
• Handyperson services
• Repairs and affordable warmth
• Home from hospital
• Telecare and assistive technology, etc…
• Includes support for ‘self-funders’

32. 3. Public information
• Disabled people know where to go for help and support with
home adaptations
• Availability of assistance and support is publicised
• Good quality public information is designed in consultation with
disabled people
• GPs and community health workers are trained
• Initial point(s) of contact are well known, and include triage and
signposting

33. 2. Co-production
• Disabled people are involved in the design of adaptation
services
• Service users are involved in reviewing and improving delivery of
services
• Could be as part of an advisory group / user board
• Satisfaction surveys and feedback are monitored and used to
improve delivery

34. 1. Commissioning
• Local Authorities understand the needs in their area and hold
a joint commitment to meeting them.
• JSNA or other needs analysis
• Representation at Health & Wellbeing Board or a subcommittee
• Senior officer commitment
• Concordat between Districts and Counties
• Funding allocated in accordance with need
• Memorandum of Understanding on housing and health

35. Workshop
•Working in table groups:
•Anything we’ve missed?
•Anything we should omit?
•Is this useful?
•How would you rate now?

36. CLOSING
REMARKS

37. We’ll be back in the Autumn!
Thank you for Coming