A MOTHER has spoken out after spending more than two years living with what she describes as an ‘uninhabitable’ home following disability adaptation works that she says failed to meet her son’s complex needs.
Shelley Rowles, from Worcestershire, says major adaptations were agreed in 2022 to her council-rented property after her son, who has complex disabilities, was assessed by the NHS occupational therapy HASE team.
The work was funded through a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and was intended to provide a downstairs bedroom and wet room suitable for an ambulant disabled user.
“At the time, everyone involved, NHS occupational therapists, social care, CAMHS, my son’s respite centre and myself, agreed on what was needed,” Shelley said.
“I was led to believe his needs would be fully met.”
The work, organised through Redditch and Bromsgrove District Council with permission from landlord Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (BDHT), began in 2023.
Shelley says the builder was appointed through a project liaison service, leaving her with no choice over who carried out the work.
However, she says the builders left the property on December 23, 2023, with the extension incomplete and unusable.
“The space was riddled with damp and mould, didn’t meet building regulations and wasn’t even the size it needed to be,” she said.
Shelley says she raised repeated complaints with Millbrook Healthcare, building control, the district council, BDHT and Worcestershire County Council social care.
Bromsgrove District Council said they are aware of the situation and are currently working on ensuring the adaptations meet the needs of the disabled occupant.
“The smell of damp became unbearable,” Shelley said.
“For months I had to wash clothes at my mum’s house, bring them home in bin bags and put them straight into drawers.”
She says the situation has had a serious impact on her family’s health and well-being.
All three of her children have disabilities, and Shelley herself has long-term health conditions.
Despite multiple meetings, including a multi-agency meeting last year, Shelley says agreed actions have not resolved the issue.
She says she eventually commissioned an independent occupational therapy assessment in September 2025.
“That report clearly states the current adaptation is uninhabitable and does not meet my son’s needs now or in the future,” she said.
“He is 16, with the mental capacity of a small child, and this is supposed to be his home.”
Shelley says she is still waiting for the outcome of a stage two complaint with Worcestershire County Council, leaving her unable to progress the matter further.
“We’ve just been left,” she said. “I don’t know what else to do. I just want my son to have the adaptations he needs.”
A spokesperson for Bromsgrove District Council said: “We are aware of the circumstances, and we are working with partners and all parties involved to ensure the adaptation meets the assessed needs of the disabled occupant.
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