Babergh District Council's' 'Independent Living Service' has been developed to help improve the quality of life of the districts' most vulnerable adults, young people and children.

The new service will offer advice and support where home adaptations, big or small, are needed to help residents live independently, safely and comfortably in their own homes, for as long as possible.

It will also assist residents with a disability, or those who may need adaptations to their home due to changes in their health, via the Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) and the councils' Minor Adaptation Grants Scheme processes from application to completion of works.

Proposals to move the service in-house will allow the councils to ensure that the service is right for the residents across the district – with better control in the management of allocation of budgets and the processing of applications.

Cllr Jan Osborne Babergh District Council cabinet member for housing said: "Bringing this vital service in-house will give us greater flexibility in supporting our residents. This new service will allow us to provide a more efficient and cost-effective service. Poor health is generally unplanned, and not something that you can prepare for. This new way of working will help us to directly support those with unplanned and long-term health issues or anyone needing additional support.

"The Independent Living service will help us enable more of our residents to remain in their homes and live more independently. Bringing the service in-house will, in the long-term, help to reduce demands on Suffolk's care system and the NHS – cutting down on the time residents need to spend in hospital.

Sometimes work needs to be carried out quickly and our teams will ensure that the processes in place allows residents to return to the comfort of their own home, and a safe and secure environment."

The new service will:

Raise the quality of life, supporting residents to remain in their home independently and safely

Improve the processing time for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) applications and associated works

Increase the annual number of applications completed

Reduced demand on the wider Suffolk care systems

Help to identify the best option to meet the applicants' needs

Provide help and support to complete DFG application forms

Carry out home surveys

Help source reputable local contractors

Apply for planning permission and building control consent – if required

The Independent Living Service will work in partnership with Independent Living Suffolk to provide a high standard supportive network that will facilitate independence at home. In addition to offering signposting, financial and relocation assistance across the district, the service will enable each authority to tailor their provision to meet the changing needs of their communities.

Suffolk County Council will be the first point of contact – and residents needing advice, guidance, or support can start the process by using the contact details below.

Email: [email protected]

Call: 0800 121 7711 for an assessment by therapy staff.

Once an assessment has been carried out by Suffolk County Council therapy staff, a recommendation will be made on the home adaptations and support needed.