Demand surges for help from Wirral Housing Adaptations Service
The number of adaptations carried out by Wirral Council’s housing team which allow people to remain in their homes has increased by 500 in just a year.
The service is responsible for the delivery of adaptations in all types of housing across the borough - whether owned or rented - to help people of all ages remain in their homes.
The work can range from installing a stairlift, grabrail or stair rail to creating wheelchair access or a wet room, depending on the needs of the person – and the improvements can be life-changing for those who need them.
The last year has seen the number of major and minor adaptation schemes delivered by the council service rise from 2943 in 2023/2024 and to 3547 in 2024-25 – the highest this service has ever delivered.
This follows a continuing upward trend in demand for home adaptations over the last decade. The service has seen an increase in its funding allocation from £1.68 million in 2014/2015 to £5.15 million in 2024/2025, with an allocation for 2025/2026 of £5.8 million.
The Housing Adaptation Service modifies homes to meet the requirements of people based on “need”. The team brings together a range of expertise and uses its established strong links with health care professionals and external agencies, supported by Occupational Therapists, to help people retain their independence and remain at home where possible.
As well as continuing to meet rising demand for assistance the Wirral Adaptation Service has been sharing its expertise. Members of the Wirral Council team were invited to give a presentation to the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Society in 2023 at a national event in relation to its work. as well as at a national webinar on their work around innovation in service delivery held by the (former) Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC).
Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, said:
It’s great that people in Wirral, as elsewhere, are living longer but that does mean there are more people with disabilities and multiple chronic conditions who need our help.
The council’s Housing Adaptation Service play a crucial role in helping to make sure people are able to stay at home, but like other frontline council services they have also seen a sustained increase in referrals for help over recent years.
This is a vital service and it’s important to recognise how much it means to people to keep their independence and remain in their homes, and how this contributes to their long-term health and wellbeing. In addition, the Housing Adaptation Service adds even more value, helping us make sure our Social Care budgets can stretch further by keeping people out of costly residential care requirements for longer. It also provides vital support for looked after children and foster carers helping to ensure their homes can be made suitable where necessary.
Funding for 2024/2025 saw demand outstripping the available funds indicating a need to prioritise the most urgent cases. In addition, the works are based on feasibility – for example the property may not be suitable to be adapted leading to exploring rehousing and/or a temporary risk reduction approach.
Other factors affecting eligibility include a means test in some cases, property owner’s consent, amount of client contribution, client health deterioration, as well as potential for the client/family change of mind, or disagreement with scheme offered and planning permission.
