Latest news with #homeadaptations
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bradford Council to fund some foster care home alterations
Bradford Council is set to fund some home alterations for foster carers in the hope that the changes will enable more children to be cared for in family local authority is set to invest £1.5m over the next three years to help carers make changes such as installing accessible bathrooms, widened doorways or bedroom funding would pay for around six to eight home adaptation projects each year, with typical costs ranging from £60,000 to £80,000 per Sue Duffy said the plans were "about doing what's right for our children". 'Needs can change' The council said funding the changes could be cost-effective as well as keeping the children in stable, family-based the authority's executive member for children and families, said: "Many children in care – especially those with disabilities or more complex needs – benefit hugely from being with long-term foster carers. "But as children grow, their needs can change, and foster homes sometimes need to be adapted to make that possible."The proposal would allow quicker decisions on individual home adaptations by giving approval powers to senior council first year of the programme in 2025/26 would be funded by money left over from another residential project, with additional capital funding to be identified for the following capital fund is set to be approved by the council's executive committee on 15 July. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Parents of six-year-old boy with bone cancer locked in battle over home adaptations
PARENTS of s six-year-old boy with bone cancer remain locked in a battle with their housing provider to ensure the house meets his basic needs. The parents of Alfie Smith, from Llanmartin, are fighting for a series of home adaptations, such as a bath, for when he returns home after a number of lengthy operations. The Newport family still face anguish and uncertainty ahead of little Alfie Smith's recuperation from cancer treatment, as his basic needs are still not met. Housing association Hedyn say they are aware of the family's needs and aim to carrying out the necessary repairs to the home. Last week they did attend to fix the ceiling in Alfie's bedroom. However, his parents say the housing association has its list of priorities all wrong. Speaking to the Argus, dad, Mike Smith, explained: 'They turned up today and said they were coming to fix Alfie's ceiling. I said, 'you're not!' You must do the bathroom first! The ceiling job is a lower priority and can't be done when Alfie is in the house.' Former stable barn with links to Tredegar House for sale See inside this four-bedroom Caldicot bungalow up for sale Hedyn, who look after Newport's public housing stock, has been in the firing line for housing six-year-old Alfie in a house that fails to meet his basic needs. As the Argus previously reported, Alfie requires daily bathing and his house only has an upstairs walk-in shower. We have also reported multiple other issues that need addressing. Additionally, Alfie's treatment will see a bone removed from his leg, causing him mobility issues in accessing an upstairs bathroom, during his recovery. Alfie faces weeks away when he undergoes marathon surgery to treat his condition, Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer that usually occurs in childhood. Alfie would be recovering in hospital for weeks following the treatment, which gives Hedyn plenty of time to do other vital repairs, his parents say. Alfie is asthmatic and immuno-suppressed because of his treatment. Medical advice has it that he needs daily access to a bath and a bathroom that has adequate drainage and ventilation. Access and bathroom installation are priorities, according to his parents. Other necessities, must wait. The lesser priority ceiling repairs are needed because of a roof leak caused by a broken tile that knocked out the electric light in Alfie's Arsenal-themed bedroom, which is 'his sanctuary,' and the place he will want to come back to for recuperation, according to mum Jess. The parents point out that Alfie cannot be in the house when the ceiling is knocked out and replaced. His conditions would be made worse by 70 years of attic dust, noise and disruption. He would also be without a bedroom in the two-bedroom house. This would see the family of four, with a six-year-old cancer patient, all crammed into one bedroom. The Argus has approached Hedyn for a comment.
