Decision details

1.

Title of Item/Report

Scrutiny Review of Disabled Facilities Grant - Final Report of People Select Committee

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that presented the outcomes of the People Select Committee’s review of Disabled Facilities Grant.

Local Authorities had a statutory duty to provide grant aid for a range of adaptions to eligible individuals (following an assessment) home and this was carried out via Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which was a capital grant governed by the Housing Grants and Construction Act 1996. It was funded as part of the Improved Better Care Fund (IBCF) programme, a pooled budget between the NHS and Local Authorities (LA) and passed to the LA’s to administer. They enabled people to continue living safely and independently in their own home.

Demand for DFGs was rising at a time when building costs had significantly increased. As a result of this there was an increasing number of DFG applications costed above the maximum threshold of £30k. There was also a growing waiting list of both residents waiting for a DFG and the time taken from the point of application to DFG works commencing. This impacted on the health and wellbeing of individuals and potentially their ability to remain living independently in their own home.  The aim of the review was to explore both current and potential alternative options to ensure the service was delivered in an efficient, effective and customer focused way.

The Committee had taken evidence from several relevant SBC services and stakeholder organisations, including representatives from the Housing Regeneration and Investment, Occupational Therapy, and Building Services teams, Foundations who were the national body for Home Improvement Agencies and Disabled Facilities Grant, and Stockton & District Information & Advice Service. In addition to considering customer satisfaction survey results, consultation also took place with residents via Stockton Parent Carer Forum. Members of the Community Partnerships, Eastern Ravens Trust and Teesside & District Society for the Blind were approached for their comments but only one, from Teesside & District Society for the Blind, was received.  

RESOLVED that:-

1.       In relation to the recent announcement from the Department of Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government regarding extra funding for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG), officers be requested to monitor the impact of this extra funding on the Council’s waiting list; updates to be provided to the Select Committee as part of the monitoring of the review recommendation. 

2.       Officers explore the potential to engage with Teesside University to produce a study on the impact of DFG’s on people lives in the Borough and how long this potentially allows them to remain living in their own home.

3.       Housing Investment & Migration Support team work with Planning to explore building upon the requirements for accessibility/adaptability in new build properties when the Local Plan is next updated and, prior to this, lobbying government to make the relevant Building Regulation mandatory. 

4.       The Leader and Chief Executive support officers in their ongoing discussions with Registered Provider’s to explore their current and future plans for adaptations and also explore joint working to support Registered Providers to take up their responsibility, to ease pressure on the waiting list.

5.       Officers explore with Registered Providers a register of adapted properties within the Borough which details the type of adaptations, to assist the Nomination and Lettings Team in advertising and matching individuals with appropriate properties.

6.       Communication to residents and applicants be improved by:

-         reviewing and updating information on SBC website and explore whether the  Foundations template and link to adaptmyhome.com will give residents sufficient information to decide whether to apply for an assessment/DFG

-         exploring introducing a system to ensure clear and consistent communications to keep applicants informed of their position in the process at regular intervals to reduce misunderstandings and manage expectations.

-         Sharing key information of DFG scheme available with external stakeholders to ensure potential applicants are aware of support available.

-         ensuring an appropriate route for residents to communicate with the Housing Investment & Migration Support team is in place.

-         a singular customer feedback survey covering all processes and services involved in a DFG is developed, to ensure this is only collected once.

7.       Officers explore streamlining processes to understand their impact and benefit of implementing:

-         referral form used by the Occupational Therapy Team be reviewed to ensure it captures all relevant information to enabled to make a decision on eligible works.

-         removing the requirement for Occupational Therapist to approve the scheme of works for straightforward cases

-         allowing electronic forms to be uploaded

-         requiring only two quotes rather than three for the application

8.       Further examination of if/how the Home Improvement Agency can be utilised to provide early help and prevention, to ease budgetary pressure for DFG

9.       Use of flat pack extensions is explored in more detail to see if they would provide a viable and cost-effective option.

10.      Following correspondence from the Royal British Legion to the Council, officers review whether it is possible for military compensation to be exempt from the means test for DFG’s and report back to the Committee.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

This topic was included on the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2024-2025.  The review is now complete, and the recommendations have been endorsed by the People Select Committee for submission to Cabinet.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight Friday 21 March 2025

1.

Title of Item/Report

Scrutiny Review of Disabled Facilities Grant - Final Report of People Select Committee

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that presented the outcomes of the People Select Committee’s review of Disabled Facilities Grant.

Local Authorities had a statutory duty to provide grant aid for a range of adaptions to eligible individuals (following an assessment) home and this was carried out via Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which was a capital grant governed by the Housing Grants and Construction Act 1996. It was funded as part of the Improved Better Care Fund (IBCF) programme, a pooled budget between the NHS and Local Authorities (LA) and passed to the LA’s to administer. They enabled people to continue living safely and independently in their own home.

Demand for DFGs was rising at a time when building costs had significantly increased. As a result of this there was an increasing number of DFG applications costed above the maximum threshold of £30k. There was also a growing waiting list of both residents waiting for a DFG and the time taken from the point of application to DFG works commencing. This impacted on the health and wellbeing of individuals and potentially their ability to remain living independently in their own home.  The aim of the review was to explore both current and potential alternative options to ensure the service was delivered in an efficient, effective and customer focused way.

The Committee had taken evidence from several relevant SBC services and stakeholder organisations, including representatives from the Housing Regeneration and Investment, Occupational Therapy, and Building Services teams, Foundations who were the national body for Home Improvement Agencies and Disabled Facilities Grant, and Stockton & District Information & Advice Service. In addition to considering customer satisfaction survey results, consultation also took place with residents via Stockton Parent Carer Forum. Members of the Community Partnerships, Eastern Ravens Trust and Teesside & District Society for the Blind were approached for their comments but only one, from Teesside & District Society for the Blind, was received.  

RESOLVED that:-

1.       In relation to the recent announcement from the Department of Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government regarding extra funding for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG), officers be requested to monitor the impact of this extra funding on the Council’s waiting list; updates to be provided to the Select Committee as part of the monitoring of the review recommendation. 

2.       Officers explore the potential to engage with Teesside University to produce a study on the impact of DFG’s on people lives in the Borough and how long this potentially allows them to remain living in their own home.

3.       Housing Investment & Migration Support team work with Planning to explore building upon the requirements for accessibility/adaptability in new build properties when the Local Plan is next updated and, prior to this, lobbying government to make the relevant Building Regulation mandatory. 

4.       The Leader and Chief Executive support officers in their ongoing discussions with Registered Provider’s to explore their current and future plans for adaptations and also explore joint working to support Registered Providers to take up their responsibility, to ease pressure on the waiting list.

5.       Officers explore with Registered Providers a register of adapted properties within the Borough which details the type of adaptations, to assist the Nomination and Lettings Team in advertising and matching individuals with appropriate properties.

6.       Communication to residents and applicants be improved by:

-         reviewing and updating information on SBC website and explore whether the  Foundations template and link to adaptmyhome.com will give residents sufficient information to decide whether to apply for an assessment/DFG

-         exploring introducing a system to ensure clear and consistent communications to keep applicants informed of their position in the process at regular intervals to reduce misunderstandings and manage expectations.

-         Sharing key information of DFG scheme available with external stakeholders to ensure potential applicants are aware of support available.

-         ensuring an appropriate route for residents to communicate with the Housing Investment & Migration Support team is in place.

-         a singular customer feedback survey covering all processes and services involved in a DFG is developed, to ensure this is only collected once.

7.       Officers explore streamlining processes to understand their impact and benefit of implementing:

-         referral form used by the Occupational Therapy Team be reviewed to ensure it captures all relevant information to enabled to make a decision on eligible works.

-         removing the requirement for Occupational Therapist to approve the scheme of works for straightforward cases

-         allowing electronic forms to be uploaded

-         requiring only two quotes rather than three for the application

8.       Further examination of if/how the Home Improvement Agency can be utilised to provide early help and prevention, to ease budgetary pressure for DFG

9.       Use of flat pack extensions is explored in more detail to see if they would provide a viable and cost-effective option.

10.      Following correspondence from the Royal British Legion to the Council, officers review whether it is possible for military compensation to be exempt from the means test for DFG’s and report back to the Committee.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

This topic was included on the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2024-2025.  The review is now complete, and the recommendations have been endorsed by the People Select Committee for submission to Cabinet.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight Friday 21 March 2025