Paradigm Housing Group. Mobility Scooter Storage Policy. July 2015

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Arron Clark
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1 Paradigm Housing Group Mobility Scooter Storage July 2015

2 Mobility Scooter Storage Reference No. Statement The Group aims to accommodate mobility scooters on its property, whilst maintaining safety standards. This includes safe storage, correct insurance and the safe usage of mobility scooters. This policy is designed to ensure that all mobility scooters (class 3 vehicles) used or stored on property owned by Paradigm Housing Group are done so safely to minimise the risk to the user, other residents and Paradigms assets. This policy sets out the residents and Paradigms responsibilities around the use and safe storage of mobility scooters. Residents responsibility To ensure that residents are aware of their responsibility with regards to the safe storage and use of motor scooters. Residents are required to: Principles Seek permission that there is adequate and suitable storage to store a mobility scooter on Paradigms property, before they acquire a mobility scooter. Permission pending acquisition of a mobility scooter will be valid for 30 days. Apply for a permit against the specified criteria. Store their scooters in an identified location, ensuring that the scooter does not obstruct any fire exists or hinder a safe escape in the event of an emergency. Only charge their scooters between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm (Older People Services). Due to risk of fire. Day time charging should be through a socket where it has a timer inbuilt, as opposed to a removable timer. Have appropriate insurance in respect of the scooter. Ensure that their scooter is serviced and maintained regularly. If it fails a PAT test repair/ replace any equipment that is damaged before it is used again. Inform Paradigm if their circumstances change for any reason as this may effect permission to store a scooter. Where all necessary requirements have been met, the residents will be issued with a Permit to allow storage and charging of a mobility scooter (each permit issued will be valid for 12 months, and will need to be reapplied for annually thereon; re-application is the same process as the initial application). This document sets out the responsibilities above in addition to a number of other responsibilities.

3 Paradigm s responsibility Housing officers are responsible for issuing permits for mobility scooters and ensuring that residents are aware of their responsibilities. They are responsible for ensuring that all necessary requirements are met before they issue a permit. The housing officer and Estates Team are then responsible for monitoring on going compliance and taking remedial action where residents are in breach of their permit. Failure to adhere to the requirements will result in verbal and written warning, with the possibility of the scooter being removed. Where possible Paradigm will provide adequate mobility scooter storage. Objectives Assist independent living for residents. To ensure the safe storage, use and charging of scooters on Paradigms property. To ensure a consistent approach to authorising permission to use and store scooters on Paradigms property. Residents/ tenants to be aware of their responsibility around the purchase. Use and storage of their mobility scooter The organisation to be aware of our obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act, Health and Safety at Work legislation and Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety Act). Background Scope The policy is required due to an increase in use of scooters on properties owned Paradigm Housing Group. The policy and related procedures were developed to reduce the risks associated with the use, storage and insurance. Mobility scooters are seen to be a life style choice and not a disability aid. Whilst Paradigm does not have a legal obligation to provide scooter storage facilities it recognises the value that a mobility scooter can bring to peoples lives by maintaining and increasing their independence. Paradigm aims to provide scooter storage where possible subject to any constraints of the individual sites and potential cost involved. In relation to Older People Services across Buckinghamshire we conducted an Asset Management Survey and in line with the recommendations action is being taken to provide suitable scooter storage across the schemes where space is available. At the time of this policy review, planning consent is being sought for schemes where storage is required. This policy applies to any mobility scooter that is used or stored on property owned by Paradigm Housing Group. This policy will apply retrospectively as well as any new users. Properties include our specialist schemes including Older People Services, Jameson Lodge and Cottesmore (Extra Care and over 55 s) as well as our General Needs properties.

4 Legal and regulatory Framework The Department of Transport provide a code of practice for class 3 vehicles. In addition we need to be aware of our obligations under the Disability Discrimination Acts, Health and Safety at work legislation and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Responsibility Interim Executive Director of Housing Head of Operations (East and West) Head of Support Services Regional Team Managers (East and West) Older People Services Team Leader Health and Safety Manager Housing Officers Estates Officers Customer Focus A resident leaflet is available and will explain what details will need to be covered as part of their application for the use of a mobility scooter. A copy of the Department of Transport s code of practice should be included with the leaflet. We will provide a written guidance to all residents wishing to store and charge a mobility scooter on Paradigm Group property. Cross references Mobility Scooters Procedure Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy Group Health and Safety April Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Fire Risk Assessment Residents Improvements and Compensation Equality and Diversity Risk This policy is produced in line with Paradigm Housing Groups Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy. As part of the permission to store and charge a scooter residents are required to demonstrate their ability to meet a number of conditions before permission is granted. These conditions include safe storage, safe use, safe charging and relevant insurance. These conditions help to reduce the risk to Paradigm residents/tenants and Paradigms assets. Any scooter storage installed by Paradigm needs to regularly maintained and where applicable serviced to prevent risk of accident or death. Paradigm goes beyond the requirements for mobility scooters as required by DoT in that we expect insurance and servicing for scooters of any class on the basis that we need to ensure the safety of all our residents no matter what speed the vehicle is capable of achieving. Nationally there is a debate looking to see if all designated storage space (in supported living) should be outside. To future proof the life of our storage, consideration should be given to installing designated storage space outside of the building. Currently Buckinghamshire Fire Brigade allow internal scooter storage, there is the potential for this to change.

5 There is also a move to consider fire safety inside flats under the order. If that becomes a reality then simply moving scooters inside the flats may not be acceptable as it affects escape from the flat therefore external storage in general needs will become a requirement. Currently we believe we do not have many scooters in general needs. If this comes into force there is likely to be a cost associated with this. Value for Money Definitions Owner Prepared by Approved by Signature (of Director signing off the policy and date) Date of Board Approval (if approved by Board) A low cost solution by providing written guidance for all residents. This should reduce the number of queries on mobility scooter usage to our Customer Services. Team and housing officers. Class 3 vehicle powered wheelchairs, and other outdoor powered vehicles, including scooters, for use on roads/highways with a maximum speed limit of 8 mph and facility to travel at 4 mph on footways. Emma Donlon Emma Donlon Tracey Gray, Interim Executive Director of Housing Housing Services Committee on 15 July 2015 Effective date 15 July 2015 Review date July 2018

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