Home adaptations and moving house

The Disabled Facilities Grant aims to help people with a disability to make changes to their home so they can access and use all essential facilities.

An assessment will be completed by a Children's Occupational Therapist to understand what your child's needs are. If major adaptations to your home are recommended, a Disabled Facilities Grant could help fund the work needed. This can be up to a maximum of £30,000.

You may need to seek approval or permission for adaptations to be made to your home: 

• If your home is owned by a local authority such as Cambridge City Council or South Cambs District Council, you may be able to go to them directly. Local authorities have their own budget for adapting people's homes.
• If you rent your home, any adaptations to the property will require your landlord's consent before any work can be completed. 
• If you rent your home from a Housing Association, any adaptations to the property will need to be agreed with the Housing Association.  

You may find it more practical to move to a property that better suits the needs of you and your child.

The Home Improvement Agency is a council service that consists of experienced surveyors and caseworkers who work with your Occupational Therapist to help find the right solution. The Home Improvement Agency will assist with the application of the Disabled Facilities Grant. They will complete the plans, permissions and oversee the works as they are completed. They will obtain builders quotes and assign a builder to complete agreed works. They charge a fee for this service which is up to 20% of the costs of the adaptations. This is payable from the Disabled Facilities Grant

You can pay for the changes to your property privately or you can self-manage the project.  The Grants Officer and Occupational Therapist can meet with you and explain the process and what documents will be required to support a self managed project.

The costs depend on the adaptations and what is required. A height adjustable changing bench could be £3000, a level access shower £6000, or a small bathroom extension £30,000. There may be technical costs for surveyors, architects, building regulations and planning permission. Most extensions will unfortunately exceed the Grant allowance.

Some equipment can be installed within six weeks, other larger projects are likely to take 6 to 18 months.

The occupational therapist will guide you through the process and other technical staff and professionals will also help decide what a good solution to a difficulty is and once agreed, ensure the adaptation is completed. If a family is self-managing there is a lot to do, if a Home Improvement Agency is managing the project there is much less for a family to sort out.

Read more about the Disabled Facilities Grant.

Home owners can apply to be on the housing register but this is subject to certain criteria. Applications can be made by completing the online Home-Link registration form. The Occupational Therapy Team can support homeowners to identify a suitable new property to meet the needs of their child. 

Home-Link, is the choice based lettings (CBL) scheme for council and housing association properties across the Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk area. The scheme covers all the available council and housing association properties. You can also find information about all the housing options available in the area.

In some cases, moving to another property which can provide more suitable accommodation is more appropriate for a person’s longer term housing needs and well-being. 

An Occupational Therapist will assess what the housing needs are for your child. You will receive a 'Housing Needs report'. This is a letter from an Occupational Therapist that will specify what the minimum requirements are for a suitable property. This report will support your Home-Link application.

Please refer to your location council website regarding relocation grants to help with the costs of moving.

Cambridge City Council - home adaptations and grants

East Cambridgeshire District Council - home adaptations and grants

Fenland District Council - home adaptations and grants

Huntingdon District Council - home adaptations and grants

South Cambridgeshire District Council (including Home Improvements Agency) - home adaptations and grants