Creating a forever home through specialist deputyship support

Callum has cerebral palsy, and his parents wanted a property that could be adapted to meet his physical, sensory, and educational needs while still feeling like a warm, welcoming home. 

They dreamed of a house that would give Callum independence, provide comfort for the whole family, and eliminate the barriers they faced in their previous property.

After months of searching, they found the perfect place: a beautiful heritage property over 150 years old. It had character, history, and the potential to become the perfect home. But turning that vision into reality was no small task. 

With Sally Murphy and Damian Hodkinson from our Court of Protection team acting as Callum's professional Deputies, that vision became a reality.

As Callum’s Deputy, we managed the entire process from start to finish. We began by working closely with the family to assess the affordability of the purchase and adaptation project, ensuring every financial consideration was accounted for. Once the plan was viable, we appointed a trusted construction professional to design the property in the most suitable way for Callum and his family.

From there, we instructed all necessary surveys and brought in relevant specialists to support the adaptation process. After carrying out thorough due diligence, we appointed contractors who entered into a Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) Contract on Callum’s behalf so work could begin and Callum was fully protected.

Throughout the project, we implemented insurance, managed monthly valuations, and attended design and site meetings. We monitored ongoing spend and additional requests, and when challenges arose, as they inevitably do, we worked closely with Callum’s family to find solutions everyone felt comfortable with. 

Our Buildings Consultancy team provided expert advice at every stage, attending meetings and coordinating all construction professionals involved. Their oversight ensured risks were reduced and the best possible outcome was achieved for Callum and his family.

Today, Callum and his family are settled into their restored, extended, and adapted home, and it’s everything they hoped for. Caring for Callum in an unadapted property was challenging and often isolating. Now, their home is fully accessible, inclusive, and futureproofed. Callum can participate in family life without barriers, and his needs, physical, sensory, and educational, are supported every day.

“It’s a home where Callum can thrive,” his parents say. “The accessibility has created inclusion for Callum and everyone is able to be together as a family in so many more activities and elements of life. It’s a home where his physical, sensory, and educational needs can be supported properly, and he’s thriving in all aspects of his development, as are his siblings. It is a wonderful place to live - we're all so happy there.”