27 January 2016
Dear Consultee,
CONSULTATION ON THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW OF HOUSING
ADAPTATIONS SERVICES FINAL REPORT AND ACTION PLAN 2016
The Department for Social Development (DSD) and the Department of Health, Social
Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) have responsibility for different aspects of
housing adaptations and are seeking your views on the Inter-Departmental Review
of Housing Adaptations Services Final Report and Action Plan 2016.
This Final Report and Action Plan are the culmination of ongoing collaborative work
undertaken between the Departments over a number of years, with significant input
from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), health and social care and
housing association organisations.
The Final Report and Action Plan have been informed by public responses to an
earlier consultation into the first Inter-Departmental Review Report, conducted in
2013. Significant work with people with disabilities, occupational therapists, housing
designers and providers has been undertaken since the original consultation and this
has resulted in some actions, where there was broad support, having already been
progressed. This includes, for example, the development of an Adaptations Design
Communications Toolkit which delivers across a series of design standards and
governance recommendations contained in the review.
This consultation is being co-ordinated by the NIHE on behalf of both Departments.
The Inter-Departmental Review of Housing Adaptations Services Final Report and
Action Plan together with the consultation response document are available online.
Alternative versions are available on request from John Montgomery, (NIHE,
Housing Adaptations Policy Unit) on 028 90 318561.
All responses will be analysed and Executive agreement will be sought prior to the
publication of the Final Report and Action Plan. We look forward to receiving your
response which should be returned by 19 April 2016.
Yours faithfully,
Housing Affordability Team
Physical and Sensory Disability Branch
Department for Social Development
Department for Health, Social Services and
Public Safety
Consultation Response Document for the DSD/DHSSPS
Inter-Departmental Review of Housing Adaptations: Final
Report and Action Plan 2016
1. Housing adaptations services play a key role in helping people with disabilities
remain at home and enhance their independence within their local community.
The NI Executive remains committed to providing these important services.
2. Following analysis of the 2013 consultation responses, the attached final
report has been produced together with a draft Action Plan. The Action Plan
addresses the recommendations in the review report and it deals with
additional areas identified from the 2013 consultation. It also highlights
significant strands which have already been completed, for example the
launch of the adaptations design communications toolkit, which delivers
across a series of disability design standards and governance
recommendations contained in the review report.
3. The detailed recommendations and associated actions set out in the Final
Report and Action Plan are organised under seven themes:

Closer working between statutory bodies

Improving Partnerships

Interagency case management

Resources, procurement and recycling

Design standards

Research

Equality and rural proofing
4. How to respond
Thank you for taking the time to consider this Final Report and Action Plan
consultation document. The Departments welcome your comments and
feedback, and have provided a template response document below.
Unless respondents indicate otherwise, all responses to this consultation may
be published in full or summary form. You should also note that the
Departments are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This means
that we will have to consider any request made to us under the Act for
information relating to responses made to this consultation.
You should send your response to us before 19 April 2016 by one of the
following methods. You can also request this information in an alternative
format from:
John Montgomery
NIHE Housing Adaptations Policy Unit
Fifth Floor, Housing Centre
2 Adelaide St
Belfast
BT2 8BP
[email protected]
By phone on 02890 318561
By text relay on 18001 02890 31856
Theme 1: Closer Working between Statutory Bodies
Do the actions outlined in the Action Plan adequately address the recommendations
under this theme?
If no, please give details
NOTE: You do not have to respond to each recommendation if you are content with
the proposed action.
Theme 2: Improving Partnerships
Do the actions outlined in the Action Plan adequately address the recommendations
under this theme?
If no, please give details
NOTE: You do not have to respond to each recommendation if you are content with
the proposed action.
Theme 3: Interagency Case Management
Do the actions outlined in the Action Plan adequately address the recommendations
under this theme?
If no, please give details
NOTE: You do not have to respond to each recommendation if you are content with
the proposed action.
Theme 4: Resources, Procurement and Recycling
Do the actions outlined in the Action Plan adequately address the recommendations
under this theme?
If no, please give details
NOTE: You do not have to respond to each recommendation if you are content with
the proposed action.
Theme 5: Design Standards
Do the actions outlined in the Action Plan adequately address the recommendations
under this theme?
If no, please give details
NOTE: You do not have to respond to each recommendation if you are content with
the proposed action.
Theme 6: Research
Do the actions outlined in the Action Plan adequately address the recommendations
under this theme?
If no, please give details
NOTE: You do not have to respond to each recommendation if you are content with
the proposed action.
Theme 7: Equality and Rural Proofing
Do the actions outlined in the Action Plan adequately address the recommendations
under this theme?
If no, please give details
NOTE: You do not have to respond to each recommendation if you are content with
the proposed action.
Any other comments on the DSD/DHSSPS Inter-Departmental
Review of Housing Adaptations: Final Report and Action Plan 2016,
please note below:
Thank you for your comments.