Step by step process for home adaptations

Step 2 - family consent for major home adaptations

Rehousing must be considered as a first step of funding the works. Is there a more suitable property available for your child/young person's needs? Your child/young person's Occupational Therapist (OT) will fully explore this option with you before being able to consider major home adaptations. If rehousing is not an option, then at this stage the OT will have assessed your child/young person's needs and recommended major home adaptations. This step involves getting your agreement before the next step.

What to expect

• OT Assessment: You will receive the OT assessment, including their action plan. Add any of your comments to this and sign all forms before returning them to the OT.
• OT feasibility report: The OT will send the feasibility report to you for your agreement. The OT will send this on to the District/Borough (D/B) Council once you have approved it. The OT visits you at your home to explore major home adaptation options. This will be with your D/B Council or Housing Improvement Agency (HIA).
• OT major home adaptation report: The OT will send this for you to agree on the proposed work. Once you have agreed the major adaptation report, the OT will send it to the D/B Council. The Disabled Facilities Grant application starts the date they receive the signed report.

Please note, the feasibility and major home adaptation reports do not commit you, the OT, or D/B Council to any building work, as plans may need to change.

All forms are sent electronically via Adobe Sign. Check your spam folder if you don't see them in your inbox.

Permission for major home adaptations

Written approval for major home adaptations is always needed from the homeowner. This includes private and social landlords as necessary. Any landlords will need to remain informed of all progress from this stage onwards. Landlords can decline major home adaptations if they feel they are unreasonable or if they are looking to sell their property. For further support with this, please see the Shelter website.

Home Improvement Agency (HIA)

Home improvement Agency (HIA) improvements are available in some areas. They can provide major home adaptation options and project manage the work. Be aware, using their services means singing a contract with them. You can choose to use your own surveyor/architect, but costs need approval from your D/B Council.

Remember, this is a collaborative process. You can contact the OT regarding the assessment process or your council/HIA on their funding responsibility roles.