Knowsley DFG Prevention Presentation Foundations 
                     Prevention and Early Intervention Services In Knowsley
To Support Residents to Live 
Longer, Healthier Lives in 
Their Own Homes
Graham Keeling 
Commissioning and Independent Living 
Services Manager
Centre for Independent Living (CIL)
CIL Based Services Wheelchair
Postural Knowsley Services
Stability user Led 
Organisation Sensory
Impairment
Falls Services Centre for
Independent
Living AT Demonstration
Occupational Area and access
Therapy Services
Community
Loan 
Integrated
Blue badge Store
Adaptations
Services
Team
Home Equipment
Improvement Retail and 
Agency Showroom
Original Aims of the CIL
• Reduced Waiting Times
• Simple for residents to access information, 
support and low level preventative services
• People with more complex needs seen by fewer 
professionals; don’t have to access different 
Directorates, teams and locations
• Improved health, economic, social and 
environmental outcomes for people with 
disabilities
• Residents initially seen by non statutory providers 
for guidance, advice and sign posting.
Care & Repair Knowsley / Home Improvement Agency
• In the last financial year over 5000 of our residents received a 
service from the C&R Service.
• The trusted assessor & combined handyperson service 
provides a quick and simple way for residents with low level 
needs to access preventative services such as additional rails 
up the stairs, grab rails, lever taps, alterations to steps, etc as 
well as usual handy person repair work.
• The core service assists residents to maintain and repair their 
own homes, i.e. rewiring, re-roofing, replacement windows, 
etc.
• Other C&R services include home from hospital service, crisis 
support service to prevent admission or promote early 
discharge, low level equipment retail services, temporary 
wheelchair loans, gardening, decorating services.
Is C&R delivering what is required?
• Residents originally told us they wanted a 
one stop simple access service to minor 
adaptations & equipment.
• C&R deliver this and prevent huge numbers 
of residents having to enter statutory 
services.
• C&R pick up some of the most complex 
housing and care needs in our borough.
DFG Provision
• Team Directly Managed by Commissioner 
with budget responsibility for all of the other 
related services that go hand in hand with 
DFG.
• Team Located in the CIL alongside all the 
related prevention services.
• Frameworks in place for routine adaptations 
and lifts.
• Minor Adaptations managed by team outside 
of DFG provision.
DFG Provision
• Grants and surveying staff employed 
within social care structure not housing.
• All grant staff are trusted assessor 
trained.
• Frameworks in place for routine 
adaptations and lifts.
• Quality Checking of completed DFG 
works is carried out by the Care and 
Repair officers separate to the grant staff.
Housing Options Support 
• Dedicated officer that works across CBL service, 
Housing Strategy, OT’s and Grants staff and leads 
on Extra Care nominations policy. 
• OT and Grant staff linked in to housing 
developments, extra care and other housing 
options services.
Extra Care Case Study
• 2 Brothers in late 50’s both have physical disabilities and 
one also has learning difficulties
• Younger brother cared for older brother in a rented 
property until recently when a breakdown in his caring 
role occurred
• Older brother was admitted to nursing care.
• Extra Care is now allowing the brothers to live back 
together in the community and with 24/7 support on 
site the younger brother is able to continue his caring 
role and get a break when needed
Can it be better?
A  combined Trusted Assessor, Handy Person, Grants 
Officer with knowledge of all assistive technology, 
support services and housing options.
BUT we are not quite there yet!
Anyone from Finance Here?
Does all the performance KPI’s and average 
benchmarking work make a difference?
Thank You - Any Questions ?