Adaptations and housing
Making your home accessible
We want to help people stay living safely at home for as long as possible. If your child requires additional support with getting around your home, there are lots of resources available to you.
How to get equipment and home adaptations yourself
You may want to explore the options available to you without requesting an assessment. The pages in this section of the website can help you to look at options to meet your needs and offer signposting if you choose to find equipment or adaptations on your own.
Get help deciding what you need: occupational therapy (OT)
An assessment is available for children who are eligible and require specialist help to find solutions to their difficulties. The OT will assess your child's needs and make recommendations where appropriate for any necessary adaptations. The aim of the assessment is to use a person's strengths and minor equipment will always be considered first.
If smaller items of equipment have already been tried and are no longer meeting your child's needs, larger adaptations to your home may be considered. Adaptations will only be considered if they are essential for your child's daily needs. If the adaptation works are recommended and practical, we would then organise contractors to conduct the adaptations.
What type of work is undertaken?
Examples include, subject to practicality:
- ramps
- stairlifts
- bathroom adaptations
The Disabled Facilities Grant can be used to pay for major adaptations.
Rehousing
If the property cannot be adapted to meet your child's needs, or you want to move to a more suitable property you will need to apply for social housing.
If you are a South Essex Homes tenant, you can apply via on the move.
However please be aware that the property you currently rent, will be assessed first to ascertain if it can be adapted to meet your child's needs, before re-housing will be considered.