The document discusses the approach of the Adaptations and Renewal Agency to Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) in four areas: 1. They have merged the teams managing public and private sector adaptations to increase efficiency and allow officers to specialize. This has increased opportunities for recycling equipment like stairlifts. 2. There is a balance to be found between standardization, which can speed up processes but risk overlooking individual client needs, and being client-centered. 3. The agency utilizes government powers flexibly to provide additional funding for adaptations in some cases and minor works without means testing. 4. Disability housing advisors jointly funded by occupational therapy and housing help match disabled people and

1. DFG Good Practice
Tony Dawson
Adaptations and Renewal Manager
Adaptations & Renewal Agency

2. A fairly conventional approach to DFGs
• Enquiry to Occupational Therapy
• OT assessment
• Referral to Adaptations Agency (in-house)
• Process DFG
• Design, specify and tender to select contractors
• Supervise contract
• Pay contractor
Adaptations & Renewal Agency

3. Some areas of interest…………….
• Merging of private and public sector adaptations
• Client-centred versus procurement-centred
• Use of RRO 2002 powers
• Disability Housing Advisors
Adaptations & Renewal Agency

4. Public and Private Sector
• Merged the teams managing public and private adaptations
• Increased turnover brings opportunities of scale
• Ability for officers to specialise in adaptations
• Broadens knowledge base of disabilities among officers
• Increased opportunities for recycling:
• DFG condition to reclaim stairlifts
• 50% of stairlifts installed in council properties are recycled ones = approx. 60 p.a.
• Typical saving of over £600 each time = minimum £36,000
• Equity of service and outcomes for owner occupiers, council tenants, RSL
tenants and private tenants
Adaptations & Renewal Agency

5. Client-centred versus procurement-centred
• Opportunities to be gained (potentially) from standardisation
including
• faster design and specification
• faster ordering
• reduced bureaucracy
• stronger purchasing power
• BUT there is a risk that benefits gained from standardisation and
procurement overwhelm consideration of the client’s individual
needs
• “this is what we do”, “we only provide this”
Adaptations & Renewal Agency

6. Use of RRO 2002 powers
Government encouraging Councils to use powers flexibly and imaginatively
to deliver adaptations.
Nottingham offers:
• Top up mandatory DFGs for children’s cases
• Top up mandatory DFGs where 2 or more disabled people benefit
• Finance repairs needed to facilitate or protect the adaptations
• Relocation Grant, where property un-adaptable
Fast Track within mandatory DFG for minor works e.g. stairlifts, modular
ramps – potential for RRO scheme without means test if does not multiply
take-up and break the bank! We are open to ideas.
Adaptations & Renewal Agency

7. Disability Housing Advisors
OT staff based within Adaptations Agency
Jointly funded by OT and Housing
Work primarily with voids / lettings teams in ALMO and RSLs
Principal duties:
• Make best use of previously adapted properties
• E.g. avoid wasting £25,000 adaptations if property allocated to family with no
disabilities.
continued……
Adaptations & Renewal Agency

8. Disability Housing Advisors
• Ensure that disabled people needing to move home are matched with
an appropriate property
• E.g. may just need a small ramp, but in wrong house it could cost us £30,000+
to make the home suitable
• Advise developers of new build and major refurbishment schemes
• Minor amendments to design can save £000’s later. An RSL scheme of 20
bungalows with inappropriate shower cubicles cost £4,000 each to adapt later
• Not just special needs or supported housing - remind developers that
occupants of general needs housing can become disabled!
• Advise Adaptations Agency staff on any unusual disability issues when
designing schemes
Adaptations & Renewal Agency