1.1 The Association recognises that a number of customers may... mobility scooter which allows them additional mobility and maximises independent POLICY

1.1 The Association recognises that a number of customers may... mobility scooter which allows them additional mobility and maximises independent POLICY

POLICY
Mobility Scooters
1. Overview
1.1 The Association recognises that a number of customers may wish to own or lease a
mobility scooter which allows them additional mobility and maximises independent
living. Due to an increasingly ageing population there will be an inevitable increase in the
ownership, leasing and usage of mobility scooters amongst customers.
1.2 The Association has a duty of care to all customers in sheltered and extracare
accommodation, both those who use scooters and those who do not. This duty of care is
discharged via the organisation which currently manage the schemes, Care Plus. It is
important that scooter users understand what is required of them while living and using
facilities in schemes and take full responsibility for the use of their mobility scooters.
Customers are expected to be aware of and comply with all requirements placed upon
them relating to the storage and use of their mobility scooters.
1.3 This policy sets out the Association’s position on the ownership, use, charging and
storage of mobility scooters in sheltered and extracare schemes. The principles of the
policy apply to scooter users in general needs accommodation but these are guidance
only as these properties are not communal living. Any issues with scooters in extracare,
sheltered or general needs accommodation with be dealt with via the Anti Social
Behaviour Policy and Tenancy Conditions.
2. Background and Definitions
2.1 Powered scooters are defined as “invalid carriages” under the Use of Invalid Carriages
on Highways Regulations 1988. The regulations divide these machines into three classes.
Class 1
These are manual wheelchairs (not covered by this policy).
Class 2
These are machines designed for use on the pavement, travelling at speed of up to 4mph.
They may also be used on the road to cross from one pavement to the other or where
there is no pavement available.
Class 3
These are machines that can be used both on the pavement, where they are limited to
4mph, and on the road where they can travel at speeds of up to 8mph. These vehicles are
required by law to be registered with the DVLA for road use. These vehicles will be
licensed in the disabled taxation class and must display a nil duty tax disc. Class 3 vehicles
can only be used by a disabled person aged 14 or over.
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3. Purchase
3.1 Prior to purchasing or leasing a scooter customers should consider how they are going
to safely store and charge it. They should make themselves aware of the conditions set out
in this policy and how they will operate the scooter within a sheltered or extracare
scheme. They also need to consider any limitations to scooter use in the scheme or their
property (for example, door and corridor widths).
3.2 Scooters should be safe and in a fit condition to use. New purchases or leases should
have a manufacturer’s guarantee and second hand purchases should be in good repair
and have a full service history.
3.2 Scooter purchasers or leasers should make themselves aware of any servicing
requirements for their vehicle and comply with these.
4. Training and Usage
4.1 It is advised that all scooter users undergo adequate training on the usage and control
of the scooter they are purchasing or leasing. The company selling the scooter should be
able to provide the training.
4.2 If the scooter is purchased second hand the customer should ensure that they receive
adequate training on the usage and control of the vehicle before use and that it is
appropriate for their needs.
4.3 Scooter users must drive safely and with full consideration for other users of the
scheme.
4.4 Class 3 mobility vehicles should not be stored or driven inside Association extracare or
sheltered schemes due to the high speeds and higher risk to residents, visitors and
property. These vehicles should be stored in a clearly dedicated external safe area
identified so as not to obstruct escape routes or have trailing cables through inappropriate
routes such as fire exits.
5. Insurance
5.1 All mobility scooters used in sheltered and extracare schemes must have suitable
insurance in place. This must include liability insurance in case of either damage to
buildings and grounds, or injury involving staff and other people who may be living in or
visiting the scheme. It should also cover damage to the scooter and the user.
5.2 Any damage to Association or Care Plus property caused by a mobility scooter will be
recovered through the scooter owner’s insurance company. If the owner does not have a
current insurance certificate, they will be personally liable for all costs, and asked to
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remove the scooter from the scheme immediately until such time as suitable insurance is
in place.
5.3 A copy of a current insurance certificate must be given to the Supported Living
Coordinator or Care and Support Manager and subsequently each year a renewal
certificate must be supplied. The Supported Living Coordinator or Care and Support
Manager will be responsible for managing, monitoring and reviewing these insurance
documents.
5.4 Scooters which are not insured must not be used in sheltered and extracare schemes.
6. Storage and Charging
6.1 Storage and charging facilities for scooters outside the premises are available at some
sheltered and extracare schemes however space in these may be limited.
6.2 Customers who have or are thinking of acquiring a mobility scooter must ensure that
the scheme they wish to live in has room available for the storage and charging of
scooters before they accept a tenancy.
6.3 Allocation of storage space for a mobility scooter will take place on a first come, first
served basis. If there are already mobility scooters parked at a sheltered or extracare
schemes scheme, the Supported Living Coordinator/Care and Support Manager will
record details and ensure that there is adequate space for all scooters to remain. If there is
not sufficient space, the Supported Housing Coordinator/Care and Support Manager will
work with the residents to attempt to achieve a mutually acceptable solution.
6.4 The Supported Living Coordinator/Care and Support Manager will manage and
allocate the existing spaces on requests made. Discretion will be used if a request is made
on medical grounds with an Occupational Therapist recommendation. It will be the
responsibility of the resident to provide sufficient evidence to support their request for a
space.
6.5 Mobility scooters must not be stored in the communal corridors or communal areas
unless the Supported Living Coordinator/Care and Support Manager has written
permission from the Health and Safety Advisor who has given clearance that they are not
causing an obstruction to the communal corridors and fire escape routes and that any
relevant Fire Authority requirements are met.
6.6 Scooters should be charged within the resident’s property unless specific provision is
made within a dedicated charging area. No charging of scooters is permitted in general
communal areas including corridors. Charging must be undertaken in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions and only for the recommended time.
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6.7 All charging equipment used in a dedicated charging facility will require an annual PAT
(portable appliance test) to ensure that it is safe to be use. PAT testing can be arranged by
Care Plus annually along with other portable equipment at the scheme. Should the
charging equipment fail the PAT it will be the owner’s responsibility to repair or replace
the damaged item, and have it retested, before it can be used again.
6.8 Scooters or batteries must not be left on permanent charge.
7. Alterations to Properties
7.1 Where customers are prepared to fund alterations for the storage and charging of
mobility scooters themselves they must seek landlord’s permission prior to the work
commencing.
7.2 We will not unreasonably withhold permission for a resident/s to place a small scooter
shed/building at the rear of a scheme or where it is practicable to do so but only after
consultation with neighbours and other residents and an assessment on any impact with
regards to safety and fire safety. Where required, planning permission from the local
planning authority will need to be obtained by the resident prior to the shed/building
being erected.
7.3 Any redevelopment of redesign of sheltered schemes will take account of the needs of
current and future scooter users.
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Policy Data
Risk Assessment
Consultation
Fire Risk Assessments are undertaken annually for each sheltered
and extracare scheme by the Association’s Health and Safety Advisor
and the relevant Fire Authority enforcement officers. These identify
specific risks and controls are put in place to manage these.
A working group of residents who are scooter users were involved in
the development of this policy with a follow up survey of users and
non users to identify any specific impacts
This policy impacts particularly on older people and those with
disabilities.
No specific issues for data protection.
Issues for Equality and
Diversity
Issues for Data
Protection Act
Associated Policies and Anti Social Behaviour Policy
Choice Based Lettings Policy
Procedures
Tenancy Policy
Associated Documents Support Plan
Tenancy Conditions
/ Leaflets
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
No directly applicable Standard.
National Standard
Responsibility
Assistant Director Care and Support
Director
Head of Care and Support
Manager
Survey of scooter users and non users undertaken in
Reporting
August/September 2013.
June 2012
Policy Creation Date
Three years.
Review Period
Previous Review Dates October 2013
SSHA Board
Review Committee
1.1
Version Number
October 2013
Date Last Amended
October 2013 – clarification of duty of care responsibility and Fire
Amendments
Authority requirements; update of Policy Data block.
October 2016
Next Review Date
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