Issue - meetings

[ Report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive.to be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Culture.]

The report outlines Haringey Council's draft policy and approach to the delivery of its service to customers who require adaptations to their home. The draft policy reflects legislation and statutory guidance  and Cabinet is asked to approve the policy.

The Leader introduced the report which outlined Haringey Council’s approach to the delivery of its service to customers who require adaptations to their home.

The draft policy (Appendix 1) was based on the legislation which governed the implementation of major adaptations via Disabled Facilities Grants under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and other assistance under the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002.

In response to Cllr Carter’s question, there would be enough Occupational Therapist assessors made available to complete the required assessments for adaptations.

The Cabinet Member was strongly pursuing the issue of reducing waiting times for adaptations and there was a plan to reduce waiting times from 52 weeks to 3 months. It was still important to recognise the complexity of this work. However, Cllr Carter could also be provided with assurance of the Cabinet Member’s commitment to this work by referring to the improved waiting times in Customer Services as an example.

RESOLVED

To approve the draft Policy: Grant and assistance regime for housing adaptations for disabled persons in Haringey, attached at appendix 1.

Reasons for decision

Having a policy will clearly set out and define what services we are able to provide and a clear pathway for accessing services, increase the range of services and scope the Council are able to provide to maximise service user’s independence. Thereby, providing clarity and consistency for all service users across Haringey regardless of tenure.

It will provide us with ability to use the DFG funding in innovative ways that will:

·         reduce the bureaucracy in administering grants for residents

·         simplify the application and adaptation process

·         rapidly deal with inaccessible housing

·         award grants to excess of mandatory grant limit, currently £30 000, to meet eligible needs larger grants to meet needs,

·         complete adaptations in a timely manner therefore potential reduce package of care spend,

·         capitalise staffing costs and procurement to manage demand

The Council will pilot for a 12-month period from January 2018 removing the test of resources. This will reduce the bureaucracy in administering grants for residents, simplify the application and adaptation process and enable the LA to complete adaptations in a timely manner therefore potential reduce package of care spend.

Since 2014 to date we have assessed 40 residents as requiring to make a client contribution and the total value received is £36,133.64. Therefore, the financial risk to the LA is minimal. We employ x2 FTE Assessment Officers to administer the test of Resources. The current process to complete the Test of Resources is also reported on average to take 3-6 months.

Alternative options considered

The contents of the Policy reflected the wider strategic aims of the Council to give all children the best start in life and empower all adults to live healthy, long and fulfilling lives and also the ever closer integration of health and social care. The option of maintaining the current model for adaptations was considered to not fully meeting these wider strategic aims.