Great for Local Authorities and Housing Associations
Local Authorities and Housing Associations can use the unique Dignity Access Turnaround Service to buy through the Local Authority’s Disability Grants, such as the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), where it can be classified as Removable Equipment or Specialised Equipment*, and re-used again later so saving much needed funds. The service package includes site survey, installation, maintenance, removal, and interim storage for up to 18 months.
*The Housing Renewal Grants (Additional Conditions) General Consent 1996 entitles authorities to reclaim specialist equipment.
- Speed of installation (less than a day for smaller models)
- Minimal disruption as no adaptations needed
- Perfect for social housing where adaptations may be unattractive
- Good for disabled children as can suit changing needs for interim periods
- A service agreement can be set up with us
- A low-cost option given a long WashPod lifespan and the option for multiple use
- High specification so minimal maintenance
- Can be adapted internally to meet specific client needs
- Properties can be returned to their original state quickly on removal
- Short lead times to overcome contractor delays and meet DFG targets
If you are an Occupational Therapist, click here to see the questions that we are often asked by OTs.
Our Brochure
WASHPOD PRICES AND TURNAROUND SERVICE
A WashPod will cost between £23,500 and £70,000* depending on the model and this includes our fixed-price Turnaround Service costs in the first outlay. Subsequent installations only require the services cost which vary between £5,800 and £33,000* (again model dependent) and include:
-Initial virtual survey to confirm model suitability
-Site survey and feasibility plans
-Pre-install and site set-up to ensure perfect fit each time
-Installation, commissioning and handover
-Managed maintenance, servicing and call-outs during first year
-Removal and making good
-Factory refurbishment and deep-clean so it’s ready to reuse
-Storage facility for up to 18 months in between installations
* prices at MAY 2025 (and may be subject to change)
How can Local Authorities Buy WashPods?
We’re currently working with Local Authorities (LA) up and down the country and there are a host of procurement routes that are being used to buy our WashPod wetrooms. The following examples may help you navigate your way through the complexities of the disability grants available to help with adaptations.
- Firstly, there’s the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which lends itself to our internal models which come well within the cap. The Internal Compact is particularly popular as it’s wheelchair accessible and one LA customer only uses this model as it quickly ticks a lot of boxes for them. They can easily re-use the WashPod, time and time again, using our Turnaround Service, which saves them precious funds each time, while Dignity Access provides the rapid installation, removal and storage as required.
- Secondly, there’s using underspent budget at the end of the year. One of our customers bought two External Compacts at the end of the financial year with underspent funds. The inner sleeve of the External can also be used independently, giving them plenty of internal or external siting options. In the meantime, we can store them until they’re needed.
- One LA buys our more expensive external models through the Procurement for Housing (PfH) Dynamic Purchasing System which we’re registered on. If you are using this DPS, it might be helpful for you too or let us know if you’d like us to register on another one.
- Another LA is renting a WashPod for a child under a totally different budget. Here, the social worker involved got funding agreed though their Children with Disabilities social care team as the WashPod’s monthly rental was equivalent to the taxi bill that they were paying to take the child to the local leisure centre for her showering.
- The latest variation has seen the purchase of 4 internal models (2 Mini and 2 Compact WashPods) with money from the Hospital Discharge Fund which will help this LA get patients back home from hospital quicker, so improving their recovery and freeing up much needed beds.
It’s useful to understand how a Housing Assistance Policy (HAP) can help improve flexibility in the use of disability grants and discretionary payments as I’m sure there will be other creative ways of funding home adaptations such as wetrooms. Certainly, if the need is for relatively short-term solutions, then those described above are already tried and tested.
MEETING DFG GUIDANCE
- Recycle, Re-use and Value for Money (4.40—4.41)
- Motor Neurone Disease (3.14—3.15)
- Working with Private Landlords (3.16—3.17)
- Flat-pack Extensions (5.22-5.23)
- Capital Expenditure (Appendix A) – removeable equipment
- Access to a toilet, bath, shower or wash hand basin (Appendix B74)
- Necessary & Appropriate—to meet current/future needs (B62)and be easily removed if appropriate (B67)
FOR PRIVATE CUSTOMERS
You can approach your Local Authority to see if you qualify for one of their disability grants such as the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) or the Discharge Fund to help get people home from hospital. The cost of the smaller pods lie well within the DFG allocation. The larger units may need some discretionary, top-up funding from other sources or you may need to contribute financially. Either way, a WashPod can save the Local Authority money as it can be re-used* multiple times, using a service and maintenance agreement with us.
*The Housing Renewal Grants (Additional Conditions) General Consent 1996 entitles authorities to reclaim specialist equipment.
WashPod units are often used for children with disabilities as they can provide a temporary, interim answer to the washing question to accommodate different needs as the child grows.
Wet room provision and adaptations to your bathroom fall under the DFG remit, so long as an Occupational Therapist deems it necessary, appropriate and possible and an assessment.
In England, it’s possible to get up to £30,000.
In Wales, up to £36,000 is available.
In Scotland, the sum is discretionary, depending on the local council
Find out what changes are needed to your property and how much these will cost. If you’ve already had an assessment from the council (either an Occupational Therapist Assessment or a full Needs Assessment) this will list recommendations.
If you need an assessment, your council will visit to assess if your home is suitable for adaptation and what is needed. There might be a long waiting list, in which case ask if you can use a private OT. You should be able to include the cost of this in your grant application but check with your council first.
The council will normally need two written estimates for the cost of the work. There is nothing else quite like WashPod but this is what makes it particularly attractive – cheaper than permanent alternatives and requiring no disruptive adaptations or building work.
2. Complete a DFG application form
This is available from your local authority or, in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).
This must include a description of your proposed adaptations and two estimates of the cost together with details of any other fees and charges.
3. Provide documentation
You must be the owner or tenant of the property or intend to become the owner or tenant and there must be a disabled person living in the property. You will need to provide documentation to prove either of these scenarios, which must be submitted with the DFG application. Written consent: if you are renting a property, the owner(s) must provide written agreement for the work to be carried out.
Certificate: if you are the applicant, you must complete a certificate which states that you will be living in the property for at least five years after the work has been completed, unless you’re unable to due to health problems.
4. Apply for planning permission
You will need to apply separately for any necessary planning permission or building regulations approval (unless this is done by the Home Improvement Agency or other organisation).
5. Submit the application
You’ll need to return the completed application to the local council for approval before work starts on the property and they should respond, in writing, within six months of the application date.