Decision details

To use underspend of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to provide an Assistive Technology Library which will support people with a short-term people care need within our community who
may need support to maintain independence in their own homes via either commissioned services or non-commissioned services.
It is expected that the costs of the AT Library would be circa £200K for the initial set up and with further costs of up to £200K for purchasing of the equipment to be available to ‘loan’ once the trials are complete from the £2.5m one-off underspend.
It is also that the £60K recurring underspend to be used to provide a Strategic Lead to ensure its effective direction, focus to develop the offer within the authority to include work practices &
processes, information & knowledge sharing, data collation, customer feedback, reporting, change & implementation to ensure effective ongoing up to date AT throughout Doncaster. It is expected that this post will be a Grade 10 and initially for 2 years, with a view to mainstreaming after that period, the post will be responsible for writing the AT strategy for the Council, it is expected that it may report to the Principal OT.

Approve the decision to:
? Commence an Assistive Technology (AT) Library with supporting Information Technology (IT) system/process to record AT and where it has been loaned or procured and ensuring that appropriate budget virements take place where appropriate.
? Provide provision of Wifi internet access at Wicket Hern,
? Provide 2-year funding for a Strategic Lead for Assistive Technology post
? Provide recurring funding within the Home Emergency Alarm Response Team (HEART) service for 1 x .81fte Installation Officer who will support installation and training of AT
with departments & commissioned services within HEART to support AT Library as part of their role and the increase to commence as part of the HEART restructure.
? The Installation Officer will Support Teams with installation of AT for people who need supported living as detailed above.
? A HEART Manager will support with the procurement, stock control and financial elements of the AT Library
Approve each Trial as detailed within this ODR to identify the most appropriate and effective access to AT to support individuals in their own homes.

As there is no AT currently within Doncaster apart from standard Telecare, Doncaster needs to improve its access for people initially within Adults’ Services, but should then give some focus
on those leaving Childrens and moving into Adults so that they are already supported with AT enabling more people to live independently.