Adapting the adaptations process: Tackling the barriers within policy and practice

This report, written by Dr Vikki McCall at University of Stirling, presents the perspectives of key stakeholders on how we can tackle the barriers within policy and practice within the adaptations process.

Adaptations involve health and wellbeing-related home and environmental modifications for social, private renters and home-owners. In Scotland and throughout the UK, there are various adaptations processes that support the access, assessment and delivery of adaptations for service users.

The report offers a new process for understanding the adaptations process, presenting barriers attached to governance, need awareness, information and advice, assessment, funding, design, delivery, evaluation & performance monitoring.

Adaptations to homes and wider environments are essential for supporting health, social care and wellbeing needs, preventing health crises and future proofing homes for a diverse and ageing population. The processes that support adaptations, however, are fragmented, difficult to understand, and involve clear divergence between both local authority area and tenure. The evidence offered in this report leads to a clear need for finding a common approach across Scotland for supporting adaptations.