TRUSTED ASSESSOR

GUIDANCE NOTES ON THE FITTING OF MINOR ADAPTATIONS

Scope:

Reminder for TAs about who is responsible for installing minor adaptations (eg; stair rails /grab rails / floor fixing a toilet frame).

Remember:

  • Most minor adaptation recommendations made by TAs is for rails
  • Stair rails are ordered through the loan route(with the exception of HA & CoL tenants) and are always ordered as an installation viaMedequip)
  • Southwark will not remove rails once they are installed.

Owner / occupiers

  • Prescription to supply and install rails (or other minor adaptation).

Verbal consent to the installation needs to be recorded on the service user’s case notes

OR

  • Prescription to supply only if the services users prefer a relative or someone else to fit the rail (minor adaptation).

LBS tenants

  • Prescription to supply and install rails (minor adaptation) or supply only

Permission from the Area Housing Office is not required for the installation of minor adaptations but verbal consent to the proposed work should be obtained from service user and recorded in their case notes.

Tenants living in privately rented properties

  • Prior to the prescription being raised writtenpermission from the private landlord must be obtained confirming they are happy with the proposed work.

You could ask the service user to obtain this or contact the landlord direct.

There is a standard letter in the TA bookshelf you can use to do this. You will need to customise to suit your team.

Please note that tenants living in Church Commissioner properties (managed by ARIM Walworth area) are treated like privately renting tenant so writtenpermission from the agent is required before you can raise the prescription.

Housing Association tenants

  • Southwark doesnot install any rails (or other minor adaptations) into the properties owned by Housing Associations (HA).

The HA should have sufficient funds and expertise to do this for their tenants.

You can suggest the service user contacts their housing officer themselves if you think they are able (or perhaps where they are not eligible for a service from Social Care) or

you can write to the HA on their behalf making the necessary recommendations.As above_ there is a standard letter in the TA bookshelf you can use and customise.

City of London tenants

  • Southwarkdoes not installany rails (or other minor adaptations) into the properties owned by the City of London (CoL).

Southwark has an agreement with the CoL that they will carry out minor adaptation work on behalf of their tenants.

You can suggest the service user contacts their housing officer themselves if you think they are able (or perhaps where they are not eligible for a service from Social Care) or you can write to the CoLon their behalf making the necessary recommendations.As above_ there is a standard letter in the TA bookshelf you can use and customise.

If you are still not clear what to do please seek advice from the OT First Response Team on 020 7525 3962 or

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TA _ Guidance Notes _Minor adaptation V 2 11/14