Steven Docker Associates

22/07/2026

Another successful key handover for one of our clients this week.

Our brief: a two-bedroom rental property within walking distance of local amenities, and close to family and friends, in Barton, North Lincolnshire.

Results like this are down to the expertise of Louise Colohan, our Head of Property Finding. With years of residential property experience and a real passion for helping people, Louise gets to know exactly what matters to each client and uses her knowledge of the local market to find a home that fits.

At Steven Docker Associates, every property search starts with listening to what really matters to our clients. Find out more about our services here:

https://stevendocker.co.uk/property-finding/

03/07/2026

In June, our team had great days connecting with case managers at the BABICM Annual Conference and the Brain Injury Group's Adult Brain Injury Conference. A recurring theme in our conversations was how much the physical home impacts psychological recovery after a brain injury.

When we design a property, we look beyond physical accessibility to things like thermal comfort, acoustic control and glare reduction. With UK summers getting hotter, managing overheating is now a key part of creating a calm, stable home environment for our clients.

Read our latest article on managing overheating in accessible homes: https://stevendocker.co.uk/overheating-in-accessible-homes/

26/06/2026

Our project, Boarers Farm has been featured by Premier Construction News.

This project was about much more than extending a farmhouse. We worked closely with our client, her family, her multidisciplinary team and Astral Limited, to design a home that enables greater independence, supports long-term rehabilitation, and is adaptable for future care needs.

From level-access living and integrated ceiling hoists to a dedicated hydrotherapy pool, therapy suite and sustainable design, every decision was driven by the goal of creating a home that truly works for its occupants.

View this project in full: https://stevendocker.co.uk/case-studies/fully-accessible-home-for-cerebral-palsy/

23/06/2026

The shortage of accessible housing is something we encounter every day when searching for suitable homes for our clients. It can often take considerable time to find properties that are appropriate to buy or rent, and we frequently need to work creatively with landlords to adapt homes that were never originally designed with accessibility in mind.

Building more homes to accessible standards from the outset would give people greater choice, independence and dignity, while reducing the need for expensive adaptations in the future. Accessibility should be viewed as a fundamental part of good housing design, not an optional extra.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/home/accessible-housing-specialist-warns-nppf-changes-will-lock-millions-out-of-the-housing-market-97593

Habinteg has sent an open letter to Steve Reed warning that the proposed National Planning Policy Framework risks “locking millions out of the housing market”.

22/06/2026

Our work has recently appeared in the Brain and Spinal Injury Handbook 2026/27, with an editorial piece covering our work with Dr Ed Hudson.

The editorial shares Ed's journey from interim housing, sourced and adapted by our team to facilitate his safe discharge from STEPS Rehabilitation in Sheffield, through to the design and construction of Oak Holt, his permanent accessible home in Ilkeston. Throughout, our team worked in close collaboration with Barratts Solicitors.

Oak Holt was also recognised at the LABC Building Excellence Awards as Best Individual New Home (East Midlands) and went on to reach the national shortlist in January 2026.

Check out the handbook here: https://issuu.com/sevenstarmedia/docs/brain_spinal_injury_handbook_-_26_27/27

Welcome to our 2026/2027 edition of B&SI- The essential publication for patients, families, lawyers, case managers, neurological rehabilitation providers, carers and all those affected by brain or spi

15/06/2026

The latest report from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists highlights the important relationship between housing, health and care, and the impact that unsuitable housing can have on people's health, wellbeing and independence.

Accessible and adaptable housing can play a vital role in supporting recovery following serious injury and illness. For many people living with spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, neurological conditions and other complex disabilities, the ability to return to a home that is safe, accessible and designed around their needs is fundamental to achieving the best possible outcomes.

Whether this involves adapting an existing property or identifying a temporary accessible home to support a safe hospital discharge, the home environment can have a significant influence on rehabilitation, independence and quality of life. Considerations such as accessibility, adaptability and future-proofing are not simply design features; they are essential to enabling people to live safely and with dignity.

As this report highlights, housing should not be treated as an afterthought within health and care systems. Accessible and adaptable homes are an important part of supporting people to recover, live independently and participate fully in everyday life.



https://www.rcot.co.uk/latest-news/poor-housing-damaging-health-driving-pressure-health-services

01/06/2026

We see first-hand how climate resilience is becoming an increasingly important part of designing homes for people living with complex disabilities.

Much of the current debate focuses on air conditioning as a response to rising temperatures, but the longer-term challenge is ensuring homes are designed to remain safe, comfortable and functional during periods of extreme heat. For many people living with spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, neurological conditions and other complex disabilities, overheating can have significant health implications and may affect their ability to live independently.

When designing and adapting homes following catastrophic injury, considerations such as solar gain, shading, insulation, ventilation, environmental controls and overall thermal comfort are becoming just as important as traditional accessibility features. As the UK experiences more frequent and intense heatwaves, climate resilience can no longer be viewed as an optional extra, it should be considered a fundamental part of creating homes that support health, wellbeing and independence.



https://stevendocker.co.uk/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/29/people-disabilities-heatwaves-uncomfortable-safe-climate-crisis?CMP=share_btn_url

It is a short-term fix, but AC is an essential tool for many for whom the heat can be harmful, and even life-threatening, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan

27/05/2026

Accessible rental homes are failing to keep pace with growing demand, particularly in major cities such as Sheffield, Nottingham and Manchester, according to recent research from Propertymark.

We regularly support clients following catastrophic injury by providing specialist Property Finding services to secure suitable interim accommodation while they await adaptations to their existing home or the completion of a newly adapted property.

This often involves complex negotiations with landlords to enable necessary adaptations and ensure a property is suitable for someone living with a disability.

Our expertise goes beyond finding a property. We also advise on the feasibility, practicality and likely cost of adaptations, helping to reduce stress and uncertainty for clients and their legal teams during an already challenging time.

https://stevendocker.co.uk/property-finding/

Accessible rental homes failing to keep up with demand from older and disabled tenants - Propertymark

Data showed that households headed by someone aged 65 or over are projected to increase by 22.1% by 2032.

https://theintermediary.co.uk/2026/05/accessible-rental-homes-failing-to-keep-up-with-demand-from-older-and-disabled-tenants-propertymark/

14/05/2026

The shortage of accessible housing continues to be a major challenge for individuals recovering from catastrophic injury.

To address this, Habinteg Housing Association has committed to delivering 170 new accessible homes over the next four years, alongside further investment in inclusive housing and tenant support.

We regularly support clients in finding suitable rental and long-term accommodation following serious injury. Interim rental properties can play a vital role during rehabilitation, often requiring close collaboration with landlords to agree essential adaptations.

Greater availability of accessible homes, whether rented or owned gives people more choice, independence and the opportunity to live comfortably in homes that support their needs.

https://stevendocker.co.uk/property-finding/

https://thiis.co.uk/habinteg-reveals-corporate-strategy-and-plans-to-build-170-accessible-homes-over-four-years/

Habinteg Housing Association has launched its new, four-year Corporate Strategy 2026-2030, following significant input from tenants.

13/05/2026

Accessible housing is essential for an ageing population and millions of people living with disabilities across the UK.

This article in Housing Digital highlights growing calls for the government to raise minimum accessibility targets for new homes, with some councils already proving that 80–95% accessible housing is achievable.
A really important discussion on housing policy, inclusion, independence, and future-proofing the homes we build.

Millie Brown, CAB’s head of homes: “Everyone deserves a good quality home that keeps them safe, healthy, and secure. Accessible homes enable people with mobility issues or disabilities to live independently and safely, helping avoid injuries and falls. Everyone can benefit from accessible homes, including families using prams and anyone who has older people or friends with mobility issues visiting them. The government should be aiming to make this a reality for more people, more quickly.”

https://housingdigital.co.uk/govt-urged-to-raise-targets-for-accessible-homes/

www.stevendocker.co.uk

How we help Expert Witness We are highly sought-after Expert Witnesses for accommodation reports, thanks to our significant experience & reputation, our unrivalled insight, professionalism & independent analysis. Property Finding Our Property Finding team help make the search for a new or temporary....