National praise as council adaptations service wins Healthy Housing Award

Outstanding work from the council’s Home Improvement Agency (HIA) has led the service to win a National Healthy Housing Award.

Announced in a virtual ceremony on Tuesday 1 December, the HIA won the title of Social Housing Adaptations Service of the Year.

The HIA has worked closely with landlords to help them understand the disabled facility grant (DFG) process and use funding flexibly in order to support tenants. Success stories include a family with three wheelchair-dependent children who moved into a new home that had been adapted to their needs using DFG money.

Judges shortlisted the team in the caseworker of the year, technical officer of the year, home adaptions service of the year, contractor of the year and social housing adaptations of the year categories.

The innovative service works in partnership with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to ensure hundreds of elderly and vulnerable residents a year are supported to remain independent in their own homes.

State-of-the-art adaptations provided by the team include hand rail, grab rails, stair lifts, level access showers and much more.

In 2019 the service was runner-up in the Disabled Facilities Grant Adaptations Service of the Year category, with judges praising the high quality work of council staff to deliver continued improvement.
 

Read more: National recognition as adult care adaptations team hailed at awards ceremony Published: 05 October 2019

 

 

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, cabinet member for social care and ageing well, said: “This outstanding service has surpassed itself yet again.

“I know from speaking with my constituents how much they value and appreciate the work of the HIA team. They deliver a service to be proud of, helping to reduce inequalities, promote independent living and ensure people can safely remain in their own home.

“A huge well done to all the staff in this superb service; it is a team to be proud of.”

The National Healthy Housing Awards build on the success of the annual HIA Awards, which were organised by Foundations from 2001 to 2018. The new awards, launched in 2019, continue to champion the work of home improvement agencies but also celebrate a wider range of individuals and organisations across England that enable people to live independent lives.

This year’s awards highlight how those working to ensure homes are safe and accessible have been at the forefront of supporting vulnerable people through the pandemic.

Rochdale Borough Council’s Home Improvement Agency can be contacted on 0300 303 8886. Further information on the range of council adaptations available can be found at staywell.rochdale.gov.uk