Equipment and Adaptations
Stay Safe, Secure and Independent in your home.
What are equipment and adaptations?
If you are finding it difficult to manage daily tasks in your home because of age, illness or disability, we might be able to help by providing equipment to help you manage in your existing homes, adapting your home or in some cases finding you a more suitable home that meets your needs.
The sort of equipment that can be provided may include:
- Raised Toilet Seat
- Shower Chair
- Kitchen equipment such as a lever tap
- Grab Rail
The sorts of basic adaptations we may do are things such as grab rails, or more major adaptations can be:
- Stair Lift or Hoist
- Level Access Shower
- Ramps
- Through Floor Lifts
- Heating Conversion
Who can apply?
We will accept applications from the tenant of Berneslai Homes or their nominated representative. For example a son/daughter can apply on behalf of their parent.
We will normally only consider adaptations if the disabled person is the tenant or their partner, or a member of the tenant’s immediate family who lives in the home permanently. This person must be experiencing difficulty living in the home with the current facilities.
Do I have to pay for equipment or adaptations?
There is no charge for any equipment or adaptation that is agreed to be completed or supply. However the equipment and adaptation remains the property of Barnsley Council and will need to be returned if no longer required
How do I apply for equipment or adaptations?
For simple things such as grab rails or lever taps you can phone us on 787878 or visit your local Barnsley Connects Office.
For larger pieces of equipment or more complex adaptations we ask Barnsley Council’s and Barnsley Primary Care Trust’s Community Occupational Therapy Service to assess your needs. We do this to make sure that whatever decision we make is the right decision for you and your future and the best way of improving your life and keeping you safe. Further assistance is available by visiting ‘Enable Barnsley’ the equipment information and demonstration centre. The address is at the bottom of the page.
For minor adaptations such as tap levers and internal grab rails, please contact our repairs hotline on 01226 787878 and we will be able to order them for you, or alternatively contact the Community Occupational Therapy Service on 01226 775800.
How do I ask for an assessment?
All the contact options and details and opening times are at the bottom of this page.
You can contact us in the following ways.
- Contact the Community Occupational Therapy Service.
- Contact us on 01226 787878 and we will refer your details onto the Community Occupational Therapy Service within two working days.
- Visit any Barnsley Connects office and we will refer your details onto the Community Occupational Therapy Service within two working days.
What information will I need to supply?
When you contact us we will ask you the following information.
- Your name
- Your address
- A brief description of your illness, disability and the difficulty you are having
- Your date of birth
When you contact the Community Occupational Therapy Service they will ask a few additional questions that will help them understand your circumstances better and the urgency of your request.
What happens during the assessment?
The Community Occupational Therapy Service is for people of all ages who have a long term illness or disability that makes them at risk when managing daily life tasks.
If they need to see you at your home they will contact you to arrange to visit at a time convenient for you. The Occupational Therapist or Equipment and Adaptations Officer will talk to you and observe the way you do things to see the risks to your safety and independence, then discuss and agree with you ways to improve the situation which may include:
- Giving advice about easier or safer ways of carrying out everyday tasks
- Providing equipment, demonstrating and giving the opportunity to practice using it
- Recommending alterations to your home (adaptations)
How long does this all take?
Berneslai Homes aim to complete all Major adaptations within 42 calendar days from the approval being given. (Excluding extension pods and certain gas conversions)
It may however take up to 43 calendar days for the Occupational Therapist or Equipment and Adaptations Officer to make the assessment and the recommendation by the Occupational Therapist.
If we agree to adapt your home we will order the work with our construction partners. They will contact you to arrange a convenient time to visit you to arrange for the work to be carried out.
If it is decided that rehousing is the best option, you will be informed of the decision, we will then contact you and help you complete an application form and make sure that we have given you the right priority. We will then give you advice and assistance to help you find a new home. Berneslai Homes aims to complete all minor adaptations like tap levers grab rails within 7 days of the order, the exception to this is external hand rails. These are uniquely made; we aim to complete these in 25 days.
How do we make our decision?
We make our decisions by considering the following.
- Whether the adaptation or supply of special equipment is necessary. For example we might assess that you can safely manage with a bath board rather than having a full shower conversion.
- Whether the adaptation or equipment will meet your current and long term needs.
- Whether the adaptation is practical and feasible. For example we may not be able to adapt your home.
- Whether the adaptation is reasonable. For example we might have a good supply of more suitable accommodation in the area.
We do not complete adaptations if you have applied to buy your home under the Right-to-Buy scheme.
What if I am not happy with your decision?
If you are not happy with our decision you can ask us to look at it again. In the first instance our officers will take a fresh look at your case and will let you know their decision. If you are still not happy you can ask our ‘Appeals Panel’ to reconsider our decision.
To ask us to reconsider our decision please contact our Customer Services Team on Tel: 01227 774376.
Contact details and opening hours
Community Occupational Therapy Service
Monday – Thursday 8.45 am – 5.00 pm
Friday 8.45 am – 4.30 pm
Phone: 01226 775800
Fax: 01226 772093
Email: equip.adaps@barnsley.gov.uk
Download the Online referral form from the Barnsley Council website.
Enable Barnsley
Wellington House
36 Wellington Street
Barnsley
S70 1WA
Opening March 2009.
Barnsley Connects Opening Times Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm. Tel 01226 775555
Berneslai Homes Repairs Hotline - Opening hours are 24 hours and day, 7 days a week. Phone 01226 787878
Useful information