Adapting the Adaptations Process

Abstract

Adaptations involve health and wellbeing-related home and environmental modifications for social, private renters and home-owners. In Scotland and throughout the UK, there are various adaptations processes that support the access, assessment and delivery of adaptations for service users. These modifications are essential for supporting health, social care and wellbeing needs, preventing health crises and future proofing homes for a diverse and ageing population. The processes that support adaptations, however, are fragmented, difficult to understand, and involve clear divergence between both local authority area and tenure. There are many good practice examples throughout Scotland, and key stakeholders emphasised the important role for adaptations in the impact they make in people’s lives. However, the current system that supports home adaptations in Scotland is fragmented, overly complex, and bureaucratic. These challenges undermine the preventive potential that adaptations can offer to service users. This report gives insight to the fragmented policy landscape in Scotland, with further experiences gathered from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Findings from in-depth interviews with key stakeholders underline how the adaptations process itself must be adapted