A system developed in Scarborough to manage the disability grant scheme and deliver minor housing improvements such as installing hand rails, is to be rolled out across North Yorkshire.
The Minor Adaptation Service helps to install things like grab rails and step adaptations to help people live independently at home.
The old Scarborough Borough Council delivered the service through it's in-house White Rose Home, Improvement Agency across Scarborough and Ryedale. Whilst the remainder of the county was served by a commissioned contract which have been delivered by Yorkshire Housing since 2018.
Under the new North Yorkshire Council, the Scarborough approach is being expanded to the rest of the county to hopefully lead to further savings.
Executive Member for Housing - Councillor Simon Myers - says that the Minor Adaptations Service developed in Scarborough will now be used county wide.
The service provide adaptations that cost under £1,000, such as grab rails and step adaptations to people assessed as having a need for such changes to allow them to continue to live independently.
Minor Adaptations play a significant role in supporting people to remain independent and living in their homes as they either age or develop health and care needs. By adapting a person’s home, the Minor Adaptations service allows a person to continue living in their own home, avoiding the need for a move to more specialist accommodation which can come at a significant detriment to the individual as well as increased cost to the local authority. The service can also be accessed by the Health Service supporting timely discharge from hospital
Executive Member for Corporate Services Councillor David Chance says that the in-house delivery model has worked well in both Scarborough and Harrogate.
A report presented to councillors last week said:
"The current contract arrangements with Yorkshire Housing run to April 2024, which means there is a window of opportunity to take early advantage of changes through Local Government Reorganisation and deliver improvements and savings from this service."
"The proposal to move to a fully in-house delivery model, as set out below, would allow for the Minor Adaptations service to be delivered at a cost of £395k against a budget of £475k, realising a saving of £80k (or 17%) per year"
"Significant growth within the service will likely require a restructure within the existing in-house structure, New job descriptions are being developed, Staff employed within the current commissioned service with Yorkshire Housing will be
eligible to TUPE to NYC at the point where the service transitions""the proposal can evidence financial savings, streamlined processes and a more joined up offer to the people of North Yorkshire. Whilst levels of spend between the two components will need to be carefully managed, it is the view of both Directorates that this proposal represents a significant step forward in the delivery of this service."
North Yorkshire Council's Executive has backed the proposal which is expected to be implemented from April 2024.
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