Adaptations and housing
Making your home accessible
We want to help people stay living safely at home for as long as possible. If you require additional support with getting around your home, there are lots of resources available to you.
How to get equipment and home adaptations yourself
You may want to explore the options available to you without requesting an assessment. The pages in this section of the website can help you to look at options to meet your needs and offer signposting if you choose to find equipment or adaptations on your own.
Find out more about the equipment service, contact them directly.
Get help deciding what you need: occupational therapy (OT)
An assessment is available for people who are eligible and require specialist help to find solutions to their difficulties. The OT will assess your needs and make recommendations where appropriate for any necessary adaptations. The aim of the assessment is to use a person's strengths and minor equipment will always be considered first.
If smaller items of equipment have already been tried and are no longer meeting your needs, larger adaptations to your home may be considered. Adaptations will only be considered if they are essential for your daily needs. If the adaptation works are recommended and practical, we would then organise contractors to conduct the adaptations.
What type of work is undertaken?
Examples include, subject to practicality:
- ramps
- stairlifts
- bathroom adaptations
The Disabled Facilities Grant can be used to pay for major adaptations.
Rehousing
If the property cannot be adapted to meet your needs, or you want to move to a more suitable property you will need to apply for social housing.
If you are a South Essex Homes tenant, you can apply via on the move.
However please be aware that the property you currently rent will be assessed first to ascertain if it can be adapted to meet your needs, before re-housing will be considered.
Reablement services
Reablement services help people regain their skills for daily living after an injury, illness or surgery by re-learning or adjusting approaches to these tasks.
Occupational therapists work alongside Southend Reablement Service visiting people in their own homes for up to 6 weeks.
Who can use this service?
You may be eligible for this service if you have:
- recently been admitted to hospital
- had a period of illness or injury and are concerned about managing at home
How does the service work?
We will visit you at home to discuss which tasks you are now finding difficult to do. This could include things like:
- washing and going to the toilet
- preparing meals
- cleaning and shopping
- moving around your home and outside
- taking your medication
We will work together to support you to do these things independently and set manageable goals.
The support worker stays in close contact with the rest of the team, and you will also have contact with reablement team leaders and, if needed, occupational therapists. With your consent, we can also consult with other people who may be involved in supporting you, such as community physiotherapists or voluntary agencies.
When does the service end?
As you gain confidence, we will review your progress and, with your agreement, the amount of support will gradually be reduced.
Many people only need the service for a short period of time, although it can continue for up to six weeks. If at the end of the six weeks you still need support in personal care tasks, we will complete a social care referral to make sure that you continue to receive the support you need. This support would then be provided by a different team of carers.
Find out more about the Southend Reablement Service.