Enclosed Beds Information - Find a freedom of information request

I am seeking information regarding enclosed beds (sometimes referred to as safe sleeping spaces, or known under the brand names: CloudCuddle, Urzone, Creative Care Ltd, Safety Sleeper, Safespaces etc) within your council's jurisdiction.

If you determine this request to exceed the appropriate limit of the cost of compliance (specified in The Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004) please answer these questions in order until such limit is reached.
Please provide me with the following information:

1. How many enclosed beds have been provided to residents over the past five years?

2. What is the annual expenditure on enclosed beds for the past five years?

3. What is the average cost per bed?

4. What brand(s) of enclosed bed(s) do you supply? Do you have any data on the demographics of those receiving enclosed beds?

5. What criteria are used to assess whether an individual requires an enclosed bed?

6. Is there are a waiting list for an enclosed bed? If so, how long is the average waiting period?

7. What percentage of the council's disability or social care budget is allocated to enclosed beds?

8. Have there been any recorded incidents involving enclosed beds (e.g., accidents, injuries, misuse)?

9. Are risk assessments conducted when assessing an individual for an enclosed bed? If so, what factors are considered?

10. How does the council review the effectiveness and continued need for enclosed beds?

11. Are there specific national or local guidelines the council follows regarding enclosed beds? For example, guidance from NHS England, NICE, or safeguarding frameworks.

Apologies for any confusion but enclosed beds (also referred to as 'safe sleeping spaces') lack a clinical definition. They may consist of a mesh structure that fits over an individual's bed (see here), a stand-alone padded and mesh bed (see here), or a wooden bed with mesh panelling (see here). Please note that enclosed beds are not limited to these examples, I have just included them for clarity. Often the use of an enclosed bed involves an individual being zipped into a bed at night, a zip which they cannot undo from inside of the bed. Typically, these beds are used by individuals who have an intellectual disability, autism and/or a genetic syndrome to ensure safety overnight. Beds are often implemented after an assessment by an occupational therapist, but they may also be recommended by the wider multi-disciplinary team.

I am aware that the examples I have given have more than one product associated with them. Please note that I am referring to cot beds and fully enclosed bed spaces in my request.

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.  
 
1. We have had 103 enclosed beds issued within the past 5 years.

2. Section 12(1) of the Freedom of Information 2000 does not oblige a public authority to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying with the request would exceed the appropriate limit. The appropriate limit is currently £450 or 18 hours at a cost of £25 per hour.

The exemption under section 12 is not subject to the public interest test

Any refined request will be treated as a new request under the Freedom of Information Act.

3. The average cost is £7,614

4. The brand on contract is Theraposture Mascot but we also have used Carebase, BaKAre, SafeSpace and Creative Care beds.

5. An assessment of need is carried out first and then a multidisciplinary risk evaluation before justification and the risk evaluation being presented at a specialist equipment panel for approval.

6. No there is not a specific waiting list for provision of specific equipment. 

7. There are allocated service budgets that are pooled for all equipment 

8. None recorded or reported within our area

9. Yes, factors considered are individual developmental and health needs, the environment, moving and handling implications, use of least restrictive measures to the address the risks

10. Ongoing reviews and risk assessments are carried out based in individuals needs, minimum of 2 yearly reviews.

11.  There is no specific guidance followed, but team members have been working with other OTs across the UK to provide guidance with RCOT that is still in progress. Our local guidance is to go through a Specialist Equipment Panel (multidisciplinary) with justification as to why one has been identified, together with a risk assessment and clinical reasoning.