Adaptations service

If you find doing everyday tasks difficult, adaptations to your home may make life easier. Bassetlaw District Council’s Housing Adaptation Service can arrange for adaptations such as ramps for wheelchair users, handrails and level access showers for people who need them to live at home more safely. In providing this service Bassetlaw District Council works closely with Nottinghamshire County Council’s Occupational Therapy Team to make sure that you get the right type of help.

What are adaptations?

Adaptations are changes to a home that help you or a member of your household with special needs, live in your home safely and independently. The following are examples of how an adaptation may help:

Make it easier to get in and around your home
Make it easier to use the bath or shower, toilet and hand basin
Make it easier to prepare and cook food
Improve or provide a suitable heating system
Improve standard of health and safety
Improve lighting and power controls

Minor adaptations

(Small works up to £1000)

Minor adaptations are changes to your home that cost less than £1000.

Examples of these are grab rails and half steps and for these types of works you have a choice,

You can use the Fast Track Service which does not require an Occupational Therapy visit, and will be completed within 28 days.

Or
Alternatively, you can make a referral to the Occupational Therapists by calling 0300 500 80 80. This route is for more complex needs for minor adaptations and may take longer than the Fast Track route.

Major adaptations

(Works over £1000)

A major adaptation is where a lot of work needs to be carried out to your home and may be available.

Examples of major adaptations are:

Level access shower

Stairlift
Ramped access
Ground floor living / bathing

These types of works will require an Occupational Therapy assessment and approval.

Please note: We are currently unable to support ramps for mobility scooters under this scheme.

Who might get help

Adaptations are available for tenants, a member of their family, or someone who permanently lives in their home and has a long term medical condition or disability. Homeowners, leaseholders and private tenants may also qualify and should contact 01909 533 161 for more information on how you can apply for adaptations.

How to apply

If you think that your home needs an adaptation, you can contact the Adaptations/Technical Housing Team on 01909 533161.

Recommended works

If the Occupational Therapist has recommended works to your home they will forward a referral to the Adaptations/Technical Housing Team who will consider the recommendations* and check that the works:
Are reasonable and practicable and can be carried out in your home and will not affect the structure of the building.

Are eligible to be carried out through the Adaptations/Technical Housing Team

Whether an alternative could be considered, for example, rehousing.

Bassetlaw District Council will inform you when they have the referral.

*Please note however, that in order to make the best use of limited resources available, any adaptation likely to exceed £10,000 will be fully explored by a Disabled Facilities Panel. The purpose of the panel is to ensure that the adaptation will be the most appropriate and cost effective way to meet a person’s needs.

How long will it take

Fast Track/minor adaptations up to £1000* - Average 28 days.
Major Adaptations* (Occupational Therapy) - Average 100 days.

*If work is complex and requires Planning/Building approval or specialist materials then these timescales may be extended.

Other adaptation routes

Hospital Discharge

A hospital discharge adaptation means that small changes to a home are necessary to allow a person to leave hospital, for example, fixing a grab rail or removing thresholds. Once we receive a recommendation from the Hospital, Occupational Therapist we aim to complete the works within 2 working days.

Self-funding

If you want to pay for any adaptations to your home yourself, you will need to contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer to get their approval.

Our service to you

Adaptations services we will provide:

Provide help and advice on how you can acquire adaptations for your home
Monitor the progress of your application
Liaise with Nottinghamshire County Council Occupational Therapists
Appoint and manage the contractors to carry out the work required
Keep you informed throughout

Last Updated on Friday, February 20, 2026