Housing for people who may be vulnerable

Housing for older people

Sheltered housing is designed to meet the needs of older people. It provides:

• A warden to act as a good neighbour.
• A daily visit from the warden.
• A Rothercare community care alarm that allows help to be summoned in an emergency, 24-hours a day.
• Independent living.
  

Warden service

A warden will visit tenants each weekday morning to check on their well being. They will support you and act as a 'Good neighbour' to respond to any emergency.

The Council provides a wide range of sheltered accommodation and we would be pleased to discuss your particular needs.

If you would like to use the Warden Service or would like any further information please contact your local Neighbourhood Office.

Please note that there is a charge for the services that would be added to your rent. You may well qualify for help with this cost, particularly if you are in receipt of housing benefit.

Helping with physical disabilities

If you or someone you live with are or become physically disabled, we may be able to improve or adapt parts of your home to help you live there. These improvements are called adaptations and are dealt with initially by the Assessment Direct team, who will assess what help you need. If any adaptations are required, the work will be arranged by the Adaptations Unit.

Each request for an adaptation is considered individually so that we can meet your needs. We can do small adaptations like fit lever taps, hand rails or second stair rails and we can also consider larger jobs like fitting a stair lift or changing your bath for a level access shower.

If an adaptation is recommended, the Adaptations Unit will check that it is possible to carry out the work and help you complete all paperwork to make the application. We may need discuss some income details with you to check if you qualify for a full grant or if you might have to contribute towards the cost of the work. The Adaptations Officer who visits you will explain this in more detail.

It may not always be possible to adapt your house to meet your specific needs because of the way it is designed or because of its location. For example, it may be on a hill. In these cases re-housing to a more suitable property may be more appropriate and we can provide advice on a range of housing options to help you decide on the one that is most suitable for your needs.

We also have a stock of houses that have already been adapted and we may ask you to consider moving to a property that has already been adapted in some way, especially if you require a large or extensive adaptation. This saves you time in getting the adaptations you need and avoids you having building work carried out on your home while you are living there. This can also save us money, as it is able to make the best use of expensive adaptations.

If you could think you could benefit by having your home adapted and would like to know more, please contact your local Neighbourhood Office or the Assessment Direct team.

The Adaptations Unit can be contacted on 01709 823799 or by e-mail to adaptenquiry@rotherham.gov.uk

Medical Priority Scheme

The Medical Priority Scheme assists and enables customers to access suitable accommodation that meets their needs. The Assessment Direct team provides a reliable comprehensive assessment of customers needs, using a multi-agency approach to assessing.

Visits to assess your needs are carried out in your own home where possible.

During the interview you will be asked about your medical condition, any medication taken, your housing circumstances and aspirations and how your housing is affecting your daily living activities.

If any further information is needed to process your case, with your permission the Assessment Officer will contact other agencies and professionals e.g. Social Worker, general practitioner to request appropriate reports.

Should adaptations prove to be more appropriate in meeting your needs, the housing occupational therapist will provide further advice and information.

Following the visit and collation of supportive evidence if needed, consideration will be given to your request for re-housing. This decision will be based on your needs and ability to manage in your property.

As soon as the decision has been made, this will be communicated to you by letter.

Contact us

How to contact Assessment Direct

A list of local neighbourhood offices

Last update: 25/06/2011