web_buttons_help-support-advicesmweb_buttons_Healthsmweb_buttons_care-leavers-local-offerweb_buttons_Educationsmweb_buttons_Education-health-social-care-plansmweb_buttons_Children's-social-caresmweb_buttons_Leisuresmweb_buttons_preparing-for-adulthoodsmweb_buttons_Transportsmweb_buttons_Transportsmweb_buttons_Transportsmweb_buttons_Transportsm

Housing and Adaptations

Minor Adaptations

Minor adaptation can be an extra fitting or a small alteration to your home, it can include things like:

  • Grab rails/handrails
  • Banister rails
  • Lever taps
  • Flashing light doorbell
  • Paths
  • Steps

These things can be done in the private sector with landlord permission and it’s non-means tested or through a Registered Social Landlord) RSL Property.

If you rent your home through a housing association e.g. Halton Housing Trust you would need to get in touch with them direct to request any changes.

Major Adaptations

A major adaptation is usually something a bit more complicated, can take longer to install and will be more expensive to carry out. This might be things like:

  • Wheelchair ramps/access
  • Level access showers or wet room
  • Stair lifts

Referral Process

All referrals for adaptations for children to go to  Halton Borough Council, Contact Centre Tel: 0151 907 8306

They will take the details of:

  • the Child/Young Person
  • their disability
  • other therapy staff involved
  • family circumstances
  • a brief summary of present difficulties.

The referral will be Triaged by the ‘Initial Assessment Team’ and further information will be collated by the Duty Worker. If the referral is appropriate, the child will be allocated to an Occupational Therapist for a full assessment. If the child’s needs cannot be met by Social Care, Occupational Therapist  the duty worker will signpost to the appropriate service.


Owner occupied properties

These may be able to be funded by the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), for children aged under age 18 this is non-means tested.


Major Adaptations for tenants of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) using the Partnership Arrangement

Although tenants of Housing Associations (providers of social rented housing) can apply for a DFG, Halton has separate arrangements in place through partnership working with most of the Housing Associations within the Borough. These are only in agreement with their own Adaptation Policy and a match funding approach has been set up, with the Council paying 50% of the cost of the eligible adaptation work.

Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and Halton Home Improvement Agency

Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and Halton Home Improvement Agency

DFG Leaflet – Mandatory grants to fund eligible works up to the statutory maximum (currently £30,000). All grants are subject to a financial means test, except in the case of children. For adults, the level of support you get will depend on your income. Some local authorities have fast-track systems which do not means test for smaller adaptations.

These grants are provided for works to adapt the homes of chronically sick or disabled persons to enable them to continue to live independently in their homes. Typically they are for works to allow individuals to get in and out of their home more easily, to move around their home safely, and to improve access to bathing and toileting facilities. Applications must be supported by an assessment from a specialist (e.g. an Occupational Therapist)

To approve an application a local housing authority must be satisfied that the works are both ‘necessary and appropriate’ for the needs of the disabled person, and ‘reasonable and practicable’ in relation to the property. If these conditions are met the grant is mandatory.

Funding can be for lots of different things: adding ramps, changing door widths, installing a through floor lift, remodelling a bathroom or kitchen, and other adaptations. Grants can be quite modest or up to £30,000 in England.

You can get advice on applying for a DFG at: www.gov.uk/apply-disabled-facilities-grant.

Halton Home Improvement Agency

Information Leaflet – A full agency service to home owners and private tenants applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant and other forms of financial assistance to help with the adaptation of their homes. This ranges from initial help and advice in the completion of the application forms to a full architectural design and contract administration service.

Dropped Kerbs, Vehicle Cross-overs, Driveways, Disabled Parking Bays and Blue Badge

Dropped Kerb requests should be made using this online form

Vehicle cross-overs are self-funded, complete the online Enquiry Form to request a quotation

Driveway changes are self-funded

Disabled Parking Bays and Blue Badge applications/requests

Property Pool Plus (PPP)

Halton Housing manages the Halton service

Skip to content