Introducing the revised Blue Badge Scheme in North Lanarkshire

Peter Tolland, Customer Services ManagerSusan Kelso, Senior Officer Younger Adults

North Lanarkshire…some facts…• Fourth largest population - 326, 320

– Almost 700 people with an individual budget– Over 600 people received a re-ablement home support service

(releasing 500 working days)– 34,440 Equipment and Adaptation requests per year

• Blue Badge Scheme– At November 2011- 19019 badges on issue (7982/ 10947) – 1078 existing disabled parking spaces– 26,200 people receiving DLA

Previous System Administration

• Based within Social work across 6 Localities

• GPs paid via NHSL per mobility assessment – could be inconclusive/conflicting

• Blue Badge “clinics” held by occupational therapists in

some localities

• Whose core business?

• Inconsistencies across localities

• Local discretion for individuals

Revised Administration• Single centralised Blue Badge Team

• Transfer of social work admin staff

• Main access via councils First Stop Shops

• Blue Badge Team process all applications and screen all applications made under “eligible subject to further assessment” criterion

• Local Authority OT undertakes Independent Mobility Assessment (Stage 1/Stage 2)

• Review of Decision process in place

How to you get a badge in North Lanarkshire?

• Various routes to apply– Via website/online– By post– In person

• First Stop Shop Role– Check application form, evidence, certify copies– Provide assistance to complete application form

• Blue Badge Team– Provide information, advice and support throughout process– Process all badges – Screen all applications for an Independent Mobility Assessment

using the desk top pro-forma (amended)

Blue Badge Team

Organisational Badges

BB Team check required documents

Eligible without further assessment

BB Team check required documents

Eligible subject to further assessment

BB Team desk top stage over telephone: 3 Options

Correct proof of qualification Qualify at Desktop

Further assessment

required

Don't Qualify

National Database

BB Team enter details to database

National Blue Badge Improvement Service

Badge posted from National Central point to Badge holders address within 10 working days

Refer to social work

for Independent Mobility

Assessment

BB Team send letter explaining

why28 days to ask for review of decision

Volumes (Jan 1st – Mar 27th)Automatic' - New Application 213Automatic' - Renewal 785

Desktop Assessment - New App 154Desktop Assessment - New App (refused BB) 7Desktop Assessment - New App (Refused OT) 8

Desktop Assessment - Renewal 257Desktop Assessment - Renewal (refused BB) 7Desktop Assessment - Renewal (Refused OT) 10

Organisational Badges 7

Awaiting Decision (OT) 63

Overall Total 1511

Challenges and successes• Tight timescale to introduce – from December 2011

• Transfer of social work admin staff – worked well

• Wider context – service reviews (FSS, Social Work)

• No existing budget/increase in cost of scheme

• Volume of IMAs

• Managing culture change

• Getting the screening right – training received/planned

• Review in May

• Particular issues e.g. DS1500 applications