White Rose HIA
                     THE ‘SIGNPOSTED’ 
DFG
Who are we?
A local partnership between Ryedale District Council 
and Scarborough Borough Council providing a range 
of HIA services.
Working in a 2-tier area with North Yorkshire County 
Council
Why did we introduce the Signposted DFG?
Commitment between the 2-tier authorities to review the 
whole client journey
Long history of waiting lists in our area
Hard to recruit/retain OTs 
Commitment to spend the increased DFG budget
Supported by research from BMC/RCOT Adaptations without 
delay
Speed up the process for simple preventative measures 
What is a ‘signposted’ DFG
A telephone assessment by a qualified Occupational 
Therapist (with no home visit)
The service user is known to OT services or they have non-
complex needs
Currently wet floor showers only
For people who have already tried equipment or where 
equipment would not be suitable
Why we chose Showers?
The majority of referrals are for showers
Relatively low risk - unlikely to have detrimental affect on 
function but will improve a persons independence
Framework and standard specification in place
• Residents phone in to the Care & Support Team (customer contact centre based in NYCC)
NYCC • A screening tool is used to identify people suitable for the pilot (undertaken by a qualified OT)
• Referral made to HIA (via DASH our web based system)
WRHIA • Technical Officer visits completes survey and simple application form (non means tested grant)
• If Technical Officer feels needs are more complex  - referral goes back to OT for full assessment
WRHIA • Otherwise grant is approved and framework contractor assigned work
• Work carried out
WRHIA • Technical officer inspects/signs off work
• OT contacts the person to ensure the situation has resolved and they do not require further support
NYCC
So far…so good
28 Referrals have gone through the system
5 showers now completed, several works in progress
No cases have needed to be referred back for full assessment
HIA Well Being officers able to identify clients for the pilot
Average time for completion (from OT screening to works 
completed on site) 3 months
Estimated average reduction on overall client journey 4-6 
months
Client Feedback……how has it benefited you?
“In every way – I can “Simplified my life, 
now shower it’s keeping me much 
independently and I “Tremendously, it cleaner and helped 
couldn’t before has made my life my confidence 
because I couldn’t much easier.” especially now I’ve 
manage my equipment found a job it’s 
without help. My important for me to 
bathroom also now keep clean.”
looks lovely.”
Next steps……
Role out the pilot across the rest of the County
Introduce a new trusted assessor pilot, with referrals 
directly from non OT staff from NYCC and HIA where 
equipment has been tried or is not suitable to meet their 
needs (Showers only)
Aim to go live with the next stage by the end of the year 
with a view to rolling out across the County in the next 
financial year if successful
Any questions 
Contact us for further info:
Lynn William –HIA Manager -  [email protected]
Jill Ellerton – Senior OT – [email protected]