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care and repair
STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE
Section Four: Core Activities
Care and Repair services throughout Scotland undertake a range of different activities within their local authority area. Four core activities undertaken by Care and Repair services have been identified:
- advice and information
- major repairs and adaptations
- small repairs services
- handyperson services
Advice and Information
The provision of advice and information is a significant part of the work of Care and Repair, with over one third of cases being formally recorded as advice only in 2002/03, and a large number of additional requests being dealt with more informally by telephone. Advice and information can take a wide range of forms, ranging from signposting individuals to appropriate services, through to providing more detailed advice, for example on how to appoint a tradesperson to undertake works. In addition, some Care and Repair services have taken a lead role in providing further advice and information, for example financial advice or information aimed at combating fuel poverty. As such, Care and Repair services generally see advice and information as central to their role.
Major repairs and Adaptations
In addition, the majority of Care and Repair services in Scotland currently provide assistance to owner occupiers seeking major repairs, improvements or adaptations to their property. This generally includes advice on funding and technical matters, assistance in applying for grant funding, finding reliable contractors, co-ordination of the building works and facilitating the inspection of completed works. Clearly, the provision of information and advice is also central throughout this process.
Small Repairs Services
In recent years, a number of Care and Repair services have begun expanding their activities into areas such as small repairs and handyperson services. Small repairs services have developed to undertake small scale repairs and adaptations for older people who are unable to do these jobs themselves and have difficulty finding or paying a contractor. Some small repairs services also include home safety related repairs and improvements, such as fitting locks. In some areas, Care and Repair services have linked with the hospital discharge programme to co-ordinate small repairs for individuals requiring these prior to being discharged from hospital.
Small repairs services generally employ qualified staff to undertake these jobs, either on a full or part time basis. Other Care and Repair services contract with local companies or trades people to undertake these activities under the umbrella of Care and Repair. One Care and Repair service in Scotland currently assists clients in finding a 'reliable tradesperson', whereby individuals are provided with a list of tradespeople who are prepared to undertake small repair tasks for a reasonable price.
Handyperson Services
Most Care and Repair services distinguish between small repairs and tasks which can be undertaken by an unqualified handyperson, such as replacing light bulbs or hanging curtains. As a result, a number have also developed handyperson services which will undertake DIY type activities, either through directly employing a handyperson, or making use of trainees or volunteers.
Good practice guidance published by both Communities Scotland and the Scottish Executive has supported the development of ancillary services such as small repairs and handyperson services.
In defining these four areas as core activities, it is not the intention that all Care and Repair services should be required to undertake all of these activities, or that these are the only activities which Care and Repair services can provide. However, the Housing Improvement Task Force does clearly state that advice, major repairs and adaptations, small repairs and handyperson services should all be provided to vulnerable people requiring these services within each local authority area. Whilst lead responsibility in ensuring the delivery of these services is given to local authorities, Care and Repair services may be well placed to cover these activities, as appropriate to local need, in those areas where they have not already done so.
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