Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Working in partnership to deliver a
successful Disabled Facilities Grant
service
Christian Trevelyan Partnership Manager
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Who is the Partnership
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The Somerset West Partnership was formed in October
2007
The original partners were Sedgemoor District Council and
West Somerset Council
Taunton Deane Borough Council joined in March 2010
Bound by Partnership Agreement
There are approximately 101,000 non social houses in the
Partnership area and over 22,000 social houses
Twenty two staff in the Partnership based in three Area
offices
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Work of the Partnership
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The Partnership provide the following services;
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Disabled Facilities Grants in both Council and Non
Council properties
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Recycling of specialist equipment
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Repairs assistance through low interest loans with
Wessex Home Improvement Loans and advice
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Energy efficiency grants and advice
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Voluntary Landlord Accreditation Scheme
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Empty Homes
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Housing Standards
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IMS (Intelligent Mapping Service)
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Budget for DFG’s
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The budgets are:
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Sedgemoor
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£620,000 for DFG’s
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£478,000 for the Council properties
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£50,000 for Minor Adaptations (Council stock only)
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Taunton Deane
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£450,000 for DFG’s
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£315,000 for the Council properties
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£200,000 for Minor Adaptations (Council stock only)
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West Somerset
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£240,000 for DFG’s
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Timescales for DFG’s
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Timescales
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Sedgemoor
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21 weeks for DFG’s
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18 weeks for the Council properties
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4 days for Minor Adaptations (Council stock only)
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Taunton Deane
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21 weeks for DFG’s
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18 weeks for the Council properties
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4 days for Minor Adaptations (Council stock only)
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West Somerset
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21 weeks for DFG’s
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Numbers
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In 2012 -2013 the Partnership processed ;
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Sedgemoor;
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86 DFG’s
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102 LADFG’s
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122 Minor Works
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Taunton Deane
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48 DFG’s
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41 LADFG’s
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211 Minor Works
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West Somerset Council
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31 DFG’s
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Types of adaptations
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The most common adaptations across the three
districts in order of highest first are;
1. Wet floor showers
2. Straight stair lifts
3. Curved stair lifts
4. Ramps
5. Door widening
6. Extensions
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
DFG Process Map
Private Sector Housing DFG Process diagram
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
DFG’s in Practice
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Initial Enquiry Stage
• Housing Options considered by the
Occupational Therapist [DFG IS THE LAST
RESORT]
• Recommendation recorded by the OT
Coordinator
• Recommendation sent by secure email to the
Partnership Coordinator and recorded on the
DFG Register
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
DFG’s in Practice
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Preliminary Means Test undertaken at
this stage if OT identifies that Applicant is
not on a Means Tested Benefit
Letter sent to Applicant informing them
that LA has received the
Recommendation and the length of time
for the adaptation to be completed
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
DFG’s in Practice
Work Type
Wet floor shower
Stair lift
Extension
Through floor lift
Ramp
Priority
High
Medium
Low
5 months
7 months
8 months
2.5 months
4 months
6 months
Subject to local restrictions: Planning Regs
2.5 months
4 months
6 months
5 months
7 months
8 months
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
DFG’s in Practice
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The Applicant is allocated in accordance
with the DFG Protocol
• DFG Applicant allocated to Aster
Living and assigned to Technical
Officer in the Partnership
• Council tenant allocated directly to
a Technical Officer
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
DFG’s in Practice
EXTRACT OF THE DFG PROTOCOL
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
DFG’s in Practice – Non
Council housing
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Aster assist the Applicant with their
application
Application submitted to the partnership
Technical Officer approves the valid
application
Approval issued to Aster Living by secure
email
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
DFG’s in Practice Council housing
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Technical Officer arranges preliminary visit
Undertakes property survey
Completes application forms with tenant
Draws up schedule of works and uses Fixed Price Quote
menu
Extensions prepared by an outside Architect
Permission sought from Estates Management
Application submitted to the Area Manager for approval
Grant approved and sent by post to the Applicant
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Payment stage
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Payment Stage
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Invoice and completion paperwork received from Aster
Living/contractor
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Payment made within ten working days
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Certified Date letter sent to Applicant via Aster
Living/Applicant
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Grant closed
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Customer Satisfaction forms through random sample six
months after completion of grant
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Process monitored through Exceptions reporting to DFG
Managers Group
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All DFG’s mapped on IMS
Somerset West Private Sector Housing Partnership
Balancing partner
priorities
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Housing Strategies
Joint Private Sector Renewal Policy
Agree partner priorities
Budget setting/alignment
Partnership Manager appraisal process
Staff appraisal process - Staff secondment/joint posts
Joint IT equipment and software
Hot desking
Increased mobility