It is standard practice that generally we do not remove minor aids and adaptations once fitted. If the adaptations are no longer needed it is the responsibility of the homeowner, landlord or tenant to remove them. There are exceptions to this, however, as some aids and adaptations, such as hoists and stairlifts can be re-used in other properties needing aids and adaptations. Also, we would consider removing certain adaptations if there are risks to persons or safeguarding concerns.

Dear Mr Ian Pears.

RE: Coroners instruction regarding future removal of adaptations.

Kirklees Council write in support of Radis Community Care’s response to the instruction you have issued to them in connection with the removal of future adaptations if they present a safeguarding issue.

To give you some additional background with regards to the operational structure, Radis Community Care is the company who are the care providers to our customers, Pinnacle Group Ltd and Kirklees Council hold responsibility for all policy aspects of the property management, including adaptations.

Kirklees Council have a Housing Assistance Policy which lays out how we deliver adaptations. Previously there was nothing in the policy with regard to removing adaptations should they present a risk to a person.

Following your report, I can confirm that amendments have been made with immediate effect to reflect that we may remove adaptations should they pose any risk to any persons in the household. The Policy is currently undergoing a formal sign-off process following several amends, but our process for this has already been updated. For information, the section in the draft Policy reads as follows:

Removing and re-using aids and adaptations.
• It is standard practice that generally we do not remove minor aids and adaptations once fitted. If the adaptations are no longer needed it is the responsibility of the homeowner, landlord or tenant to remove them.
• There are exceptions to this, however, as some aids and adaptations, such as hoists and stairlifts can be re-used in other properties needing aids and adaptations. Also, we would consider removing certain adaptations if there are risks to persons or safeguarding concerns.
• We may re-use some specialist equipment if we have suitable items in stock.
• For Council properties we will endeavour to match an adapted property to the needs of a person following appropriate assessments from the Accessible Homes Team.

For additional information, on internal review of this case we are not entirely satisfied that a multi-agency approach was taken, and Kirklees Council will raise a Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) referral as soon as possible.

Although we are not sure it will meet the criteria, we believe that a discretionary SAR will help us identify any learning for future purposes. We believe there are improvements that can be made in terms of joined up working and improvements on aligning policies, the SAR process will assist us with this. Specific actions and timescales will be determined by this process and an update can be shared with the Coroner’s Office as required.

Should a SAR not be undertaken, Kirklees Council will ensure learning is shared across all relevant departments and agencies regarding the change to our Policy of assessing adaptations for risks to persons or safeguarding concerns and the removal of them where needed.

We are keen to offer support to all agencies involved in this case and if anyone would like any further discussions, please do not hesitate to contact me.