Join Foundations on Tuesday 20 May for a special edition of Foundations LIVE where we will go through the questions for this year’s DELTA return and show you how we use the data for the DFG Scorecards.
Your Partner on the Way to Better Healthy Housing Services
We’re here to help, so give us a call or drop us an email to get the conversation started
What we Do
At Foundations, we support local authorities and home improvement agencies across England to deliver better home adaptations. Our role is to simplify complex processes, share practical solutions, and help you make a real difference to people’s lives.
Dedicated to Supporting Home Improvement Agencies
We understand the challenges involved in adapting homes – and the human stories behind every request. Whether it’s straightforward ramps or complex disabled facilities grants, we combine technical know-how with practical advice to help you work more efficiently and effectively.
Training for Everyone Involved in Home Adaptations
We provide interactive, hands-on training for professionals across the home adaptations sector – from caseworkers and technical officers to surveyors, managers, and contractors. Whether you’re assessing adaptations, managing projects, or working on the front line, our training focuses on practical skills and real-world solutions. We aim to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to deliver life-changing results for the people you support.
Streamlining with Software
Our Foundations Case Manager software is built to make your job easier. Designed with local authorities in mind, it simplifies case management, reduces admin time, and helps you focus on the people, not just the paperwork.
Connecting People with Roadshows
Our DFG Champions roadshows bring professionals together to share ideas, experiences, and challenges. These events are about collaboration – sparking conversations that lead to better ways of working.
Consultancy as Partnership
We work alongside you as partners, not just advisors. Whether it’s improving processes, tackling tricky cases, or exploring new approaches, we’re here to support your team every step of the way.
Established in 2000
25+ Guides
9+ Rating for Events
2,500+ DFG Champions
Our Story
National Body for Home Improvement Agencies
- Formed in 2000: Established to support the growth and development of Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) across England. Our inception coincided with the introduction of the Supporting People funding programme, positioning us to play a crucial role in the sector. A significant part of our initial success and recognition came from our expertise in data collection across HIAs, helping to inform and shape better services.
National Body for Handyperson Services
- Enhanced Role from 2008: Our responsibilities expanded significantly in 2008 when the government funded the growth of handyperson services. This development allowed us to extend our reach and impact, ensuring more people could access essential home repair and maintenance services. Our role in this expansion was instrumental in promoting the safety and wellbeing of residents, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities.
National Body for Disabled Facilities Grants
- Leading Since the Better Care Fund: With the creation of the Better Care Fund and additional funding for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs), our role evolved to become a national leader in this area. We have been at the forefront of advocating for and managing these grants, ensuring they are used effectively to make homes more accessible and suitable for people with disabilities. Our involvement has been pivotal in driving improvements and ensuring that the DFGs meet the changing needs of the population.
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Our People
I’m Paul Smith, Director of Foundations. I’ve spent my career working in home adaptations and Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs), managing award-winning Home Improvement Agencies and commissioning housing and social care services.
I believe in keeping things practical – give people the right tools, knowledge, and support, and they’ll make amazing things happen. At Foundations, we’re all about real solutions that make a real difference to people’s lives.
My vision is simple: to make Foundations the go-to place for everything related to HIAs and DFGs. Whether it’s training, advice, or new ideas, we’re here to help you get the job done and improve homes across England.
And I’m lucky to work alongside a brilliant team who share the same drive to make a positive impact.
Foundations' Involvement in DFG Review and Guidance
At Foundations, we take an active role in driving change, not just witnessing it. Our significant involvement in the 2018 independent review of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and the collaboration on new guidance released in 2022 are prime examples of our commitment.
Role in the 2018 Independent Review
In 2018, we played a crucial role in the independent review of the DFG, bringing our extensive knowledge and experience to the forefront. Our participation was centered around in-depth analysis and collaboration, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of DFGs for communities throughout England. Our goal was to ensure these grants addressed both present and future needs.
Collaboration on 2022 Guidance
By 2022, our role expanded as we collaborated with government agencies to develop new DFG guidance. Our focus was on crafting clear, practical, and inclusive guidelines to aid in home adaptations. We aimed to make this new guidance a valuable tool for local authorities and professionals in the field.
Our Dedication to Impact
These efforts underscore our dedication to meaningful change in home improvement and adaptations, emphasizing our role in shaping national policies and our commitment to enhancing lives through improved home accessibility.
Our Vision
Leading and inspiring positive change in the delivery of home adaptations and improvements.
Our Mission
Provide great information, products and services for all the dedicated professionals helping to keep people warm, safe and secure in their home.
Our Values
We are different and make a difference
If we do things that make a difference and stand out as being different, then people will remark about it. That means we might just be doing something remarkable.
We always work in perpetual beta
We recognise that the world is constantly evolving and that we need to evolve with it. There will always be something we can do to improve what we do, it may be a small step but they all add up.
We challenge our own thinking
We often have strong views, but hold them quite lightly. We know where we're going but are flexible on how we get there.
We strive to speak with integrity
We will say what we believe to be right. It might not always be a popular point of view, but sometimes our mission will require us to challenge perceptions.
We trust each other and work together
To achieve our mission we need to work as a team, and any effective team has to have trust in each other - and have each others backs.
We seek partnerships that serve our mission
We can do more by working with others. This can sometimes take longer and require flexibility and compromise but will usually bring better results than we could achieve alone.
