Falkirk Council in successful consultation on disability adaptations

Falkirk Council has undertaken a consultation on providing disability adaptations to council houses. Service users, carers and medical and social work staff took part in the consultation exercise.

New provisions are to include the establishment of a panel to review situations where issues on adaptations cannot be resolved by local housing and social work staff

The work of the panel will also include making recommendations on complex cases and the monitoring of demand and resources.

Consultation focus groups discussed information leaflets on assessments, equipment and adaptations, guidance on whether a property is suitable for a disabled person and how those using the service could request a review.

Service users and carers generally welcomed the proposals and supported the partnership approach taken by social work and housing departments.

However, concerns were raised regarding the need for some people to have access to an independent advocacy service to allow them to request a review on the decisions taken on adaptations. The council has said that these concerns will be taken into account in developing a review process.

The local authority is to undertake further consultation regarding disability adaptation grants for homes in the private sector. Changes to grants came into effect this month as part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.

These changes including widening the scope of grants beyond kitchen and bathroom adaptations to include financial help for extra living space.

Councillor Gerry Goldie said in a statement: “We had a positive initial consultation with service users and carers which will help us develop an effective review system.

“We look forward to the next stage of consultation which is aimed at helping service users influence service standards and the quality of information provided.”