What is supported living?
The main principles of supported living are that people own or rent their home and have control over the support they get, who they live with (if anyone) and how they live their lives.
The aims and objectives of supported living are to ensure that people can:
- live as independently as possible and safely in their home and community
- live in their own home by maintaining a tenancy or leasehold agreement or ownership
- have choice and control over their service, including how it is delivered and by whom
- receive a flexible service that responds to their individual preferences and needs
- develop existing skills whilst learning new ones to maximise their potential to be independent
- plan for the future including personal lifestyle choices, for example, relationships, employment, moving home and support to achieve their full potential
- develop independent living skills, including moving to more independent housing
Care Quality Commission’s definition of supported living
Supported living schemes provide care and support to people to enable them to live in their own homes. The care and support are provided under separate contractual arrangements to those for the person’s housing. The accommodation is often shared but can be a single household.
How supported living differs from residential or nursing care
The main principle of supported living is that individuals have choice and control over the care they receive and who they live with, as the accommodation and support are not intrinsically linked in the way that they are for residential homes or nursing homes.
What you can expect from supported living and how it will help you to live independently
Supported living is for people who either rent or own their own home and is available for those who wish to share with others or live on their own. Information about finding and renting your own home can be found here.
Supported living can be included as an option in transition planning when moving from children’s to adult services and is available for individuals over the age of 18. More information about transitions to adulthood.
Supported living enables people to live as independently as possible in the community. The support that a person receives whilst in their supported living accommodation may include daily living activities and personal care ranging from a few hours to 24-hour support.
The key principle being that the support arrangements are separate to the accommodation, to ensure support isn’t a condition of any tenancy.
Eligibility for supported living
If you think that you, a relative or someone you care for might need help in this way contact Care Direct on 0345 155 1007.
When we first talk to you, we will listen carefully and won’t assume anything. We want to find out:
- what matters to you today?
- what can you do for yourself?
- what your interests and skills are?
- if you have family and friends locally?
- what your concerns are and what do you want to achieve?
We will ask who supports you with your life (family, friends, and neighbours) and we will find out what there is in your community to help you get on with your life independently.
How the care and support is paid for
If you are assessed to be eligible for social care support, then we will fund the care that is in your social care assessment. Further information about paying for care can be found here.
How the accommodation is paid for
Accommodation payments will be based on the individual’s circumstances. Support, information, and advice regarding benefits and managing money will be available as part of an assessment or by contacting the Citizen Advice Bureau.
If you want to move on from supported living
Supported living is part of the housing pathway, and not necessarily where people must remain throughout their lives. People are encouraged to achieve their aspirations rather than to fit in with whatever support is available. Information about other housing options can be found here.
Please contact Care Direct on 0345 155 1007 to discuss any changes.