Minor Adaptations and Low Level Equipment
Minor adaptations are those that are easily installed and do not require structural changes to the home. They include things like grab rails, stair rails, bath rails and certain types of ramping.
Low level equipment are small pieces of non-specialist equipment that can prevent, reduce, delay or meet a need and includes equipment to help people move around, or get in and out of a chair, bed or bath.
Residents and professionals outside adult social care can obtain information and advice about minor adaptations and low-level equipment by contacting the Surrey County Council information and advice service on 0300 200 1005 or text 07527 182 861 (for the deaf or hard of hearing), where they will be transferred to a member of the Occupational Therapy Service.
There are eleven different locality teams in Surrey County Council (SCC). Each Team has an Occupational Therapy Service who can provide information and advice about and, where appropriate and proportionate to do so, assess/prescribe low level equipment and assess/arrange for minor adaptations (see Section 4, Assessing for Minor Adaptations or Low-Level Equipment).
Note: Some District and Borough Councils have Occupational Therapists within their housing teams who can assess for minor adaptations and low level equipment. In some cases, the Occupational Therapy Service may deem it more appropriate to signpost or refer people to these services (details below).
Elmbridge Borough Council
Email: careandrepair@elmbridge.gov.uk
Elmbridge Borough Council - Help with adapting your home
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council
Telephone: 0300 200 1005
Home Improvement Agency | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (epsom-ewell.gov.uk)
Guildford Borough Council
Telephone: 01483 505050
Email: customerservices@guildford.gov.uk
Minor adaptations - Guildford Borough Council
Mole Valley District Council
Telephone: 0330 124 3758
Visit Website
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
Home assessments are also provided in partnership with Millbrook Healthcare.
Telephone: 0330 124 3758
Visit Website
Runnymede Borough Council
Telephone: 0300 200 1005
Email: carerepair@runnymede.gov.uk
Visit Website
Spelthorne Borough Council
Telephone: 020 8825 1759
Email: hiaadmin@a2dominion.co.uk
Visit Website
Surrey Heath Borough Council
Online Enquiry Form
Visit Website
Tandridge District Council
Telephone: 01883 722000
Email: customerservices@tandridge.gov.uk
Visit Website
Waverley Borough Council
Woking Borough Council
Telephone: 01483 743 668
Email: home.independence@woking.gov.uk Visit Website
Internal referrals should be made in line with the requirements of the Occupational Therapy Service receiving it.
Please note: The process of making an internal referral to the Occupational Therapy Service varies between teams.
Please note that certain types of equipment must be assessed by other professionals, e.g., walking aids must be assessed by Physiotherapists. If you are not clear about what equipment can or cannot be provided it is best to contact the right Occupational Therapy Service prior to making a referral.
When a referral is received a member of the Occupational Therapy Service should, if not already done so, have a strength-based conversation with the person to see if they are the right service to support them.
At this point, the Occupational Therapy Service may deem it more appropriate to signpost or refer people to another service. For example, to one of the District and Borough Councils housing teams (see Section 2, Information and Advice about Minor Adaptations and Low Level Equipment).
Low level equipment could also be prescribed following the strength-based conversation, without the need for further assessment.
Where assessment is required, the Occupational Therapy Service should place the person onto the waiting list for minor adaptations and low level equipment. Following an assessment from an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant (which may be completed remotely by video/phone call, in person or a combination), minor adaptations may be arranged, or low-level equipment prescribed.
Under Section 14 of the Care Act, it is not lawful to charge for equipment or minor adaptations costing under £1000.
Minor adaptations and low level equipment should be recorded in the individual Occupational Therapy assessment, review, and adult support plan.
A record of the minor adaptation and/or equipment should also be included on the persons Care and Support Plan when it has been prescribed to meet eligible needs.
When minor adaptations are installed, or equipment has been prescribed, a follow up review of the adaptation and/or equipment should be completed by the Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant who carried out the assessment. Reviews may take place in person or via the telephone. The review should confirm how the minor adaptation and/or equipment is working and provide support with this as required.
Some equipment will only require a one-off review, but some will require review at further intervals (3/6/12 month reviews). For example, if part of a person’s Care and Support Plan, it will need to be included as part of the review of that plan.
When equipment is prescribed (loaned), it does not need to be returned until it is no longer needed or no longer suitable to meet the person's needs.
If the equipment is no longer needed, it can be collected by Millbrook community equipment stores. Millbrook is SCC’s provider of community equipment. To arrange collection of the equipment please contact Millbrook on Tel: 0330 124 1247.
Should a person who has been prescribed equipment move within Surrey, they should notify Adult Social Care and Millbrook of this move. They will ensure the equipment is registered at the new Surrey address. It is important to do this as certain equipment requires regular reviewing, maintenance, and servicing.
Should a person move outside of Surrey they should notify Adult Social Care. It is likely that the Continuity of Care Arrangements set out in the Care Act 2014 would apply.
Last Updated: June 20, 2024
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