SW Efficiency Savings 2010/11 - Reduction of top-up contributions to adaptations - Equality Impact assessments
Title
SW Efficiency Savings 2010/11 - Reduction of top-up contributions to adaptations
Council Resource
Social Work
Service Area
Social Work Resources
Aims and Objectives
Changes to Housing legislation require Local Authority Housing and Social Work Resources to review their respective activities in relation to funding of adaptations in respect of Home Improvement Grants. Social Work Resources currently fund the 'top up' element. However, as part of the new Housing Act, which amended the existing means testing arrangements, the authority for a 'top up' contribution towards ineligible expenditure was removed.
Conclusion
The nature of this service means that older people and people with disabilities are most likely to use the service. These proposals do not mean that the service is being withdrawn; rather there is a change to the way in which it is being funded. This will mean that some people will be required to pay some or all costs of the adaptation or equipment. This will be based on a standardised, national means test and is based on national legislation which the Council needs to comply with. The conclusion of this initial impact assessment is that there may be a different impact on some equality groups as older people and people with disability are more likely to access this service. However, this different impact is inevitable given the nature of the service being offered and has been considered in bringing in proposed changes.
