Council adaptations for disabled tenants

Depending on individual circumstances the best solution may be for the Council to assist by providing alternative accommodation.  However, where this is not feasible the Council may fund adaptations to your existing home.

Deciding whether adaptations can be made

The responsibility for assessing disabled adaptations rests with Warwickshire County Council.  However, Warwick District Council works closely with the County Council and part funds an Occupational Therapist post to assess requests for adaptaions from Warwick District Council tenants.

The following steps explain the assessment process:

Step 1

You should contact your local Social Services Office to request an assessment be completed (sswebenquiries@warwickshire.gov.uk), telephone (01926) 410410 or write to Social Services Department, 39/41 Warwick Road,Kenilworth CV8 1HN. Social Services will ask you about the difficulties you are experiencing and will arrange for an Occupational Therapist to call at your home, if appropriate.

Step 2

During the visit, your needs will be assessed by the Occupational Therapist and you may be provided with special equipment.

It is possible you may be considered for an adaptation, for example to help with bathing, getting into your home and/or mobility around your home.

Step 3 

The Housing Department will be informed of the adaptations required and the level of priority awarded. There are two priorities:

1. recognises a critical risk to independence
2. recognises a substantial risk to independence

However, a suitable property may not be readily available and it might be possible to adapt your current home. 

The Housing Department will assess if your need could be met by a move to more suitable accommodation. For instance, if you are experiencing difficulty getting upstairs, it may be more suitable for you to be in a bungalow. If this option is being considered you will be contacted by your Housing Officer.

If so, the Housing Department will arrange for a Building Surveyor to visit to assess if the adaptations are feasible and to cost the work required.

When the Housing Department have authorised the work you will receive notification of the work to be completed, details of the contractor who has been asked to complete the work together with the expected completion date.

You may require more than one adaptation to be carried out to your property, and in some cases planning permission and building regulation approval is required which might delay the commencement of the work.

"Fast Track" Adaptations

Warwick District Council also provides a fast track service for minor adaptations which do not have to go through the assessment process described above. If you are elderly or a disabled tenant and require a handrail, grab rail, bannister rail or lever taps, you can apply direct to the Housing Department by completing the Application for Handrails and bannisters (21kb, PDF) form and returning it to the specified address. Alternatively call (01926) 456435 for information on the fast track service.