Supported living

In residential care, accommodation and care are usually provided together as part of one overall service. The provider manages the premises and delivers care within that setting.

In supported living, housing and support are normally arranged separately. The individual has their own tenancy or licence agreement and greater rights and responsibilities in relation to their home. Support is then provided according to their assessed needs and personalised support plan.

Supported living is intended to give people greater choice and control over where they live, how their home is used and how their support is delivered.

In supported living, the person’s home is treated as their own. Tenants have rights and responsibilities under their tenancy or licence agreement and should be involved in decisions about how their home is used.

• Individuals should have privacy and control over their personal space
• Staff should respect the home and follow agreed arrangements when entering or using communal areas
• Decisions about visitors, routines and household arrangements should involve the people living there
• Repairs, maintenance and housing matters are usually managed by the landlord or housing provider
• Support staff focus on care, wellbeing, independence and agreed personal outcomes

People in supported living are usually responsible for aspects of their own household and living costs. The exact arrangements depend on the tenancy, the property and the person’s individual circumstances.

• Paying rent and any agreed service charges
• Managing food, utilities and other household expenses
• Looking after their home with appropriate support where required
• Following the terms of their tenancy or licence agreement
• Participating in decisions about their support and personal goals
• Respecting neighbours, other residents and shared communal spaces

Where a person needs assistance with these responsibilities, this can be included within their personalised support plan.

Supported living can provide greater independence, choice and control while ensuring that appropriate support remains available.

• Greater control over daily routines and personal decisions
• The opportunity to live in a home rather than a care setting
• Support tailored to individual needs, strengths and aspirations
• Opportunities to develop practical life skills and confidence
• Increased access to education, employment, volunteering and community activities
• Greater privacy, dignity and personal space
• A pathway towards reduced support where this is safe and appropriate

Depending on their circumstances, individuals may be eligible for financial support towards accommodation and everyday living costs. Eligibility is determined by the relevant benefit authorities and may depend on income, savings, disability-related needs and the type of tenancy.

Possible sources of support may include Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and other disability-related benefits.

Individuals may receive assistance from their social worker, housing provider, benefits adviser, family member, advocate or appointed financial representative when making appropriate claims.

Supported living normally separates the cost of housing from the cost of care and support. Rent and eligible housing-related costs may be met by the individual or through relevant housing benefits, while care and support are usually commissioned separately by a local authority, NHS body or another funding organisation.

Before a placement begins, the responsible commissioner will usually assess the person’s eligible care needs and agree the level of funded support. The individual may also be required to complete a financial assessment to determine whether they need to contribute towards the cost of their care.

Funding arrangements vary according to individual circumstances and must be confirmed with the relevant commissioner and benefit authorities.

Staffing is arranged according to each person’s assessed needs, risks, communication preferences and desired outcomes. Support may include planned one-to-one hours, shared support, overnight assistance, community-based support or a combination of these arrangements.

Before support begins, an assessment is completed and a personalised support plan is developed with the individual and relevant professionals. This plan sets out how staff will help the person maintain their wellbeing, manage everyday responsibilities, access the community and work towards greater independence.

Support is reviewed regularly so that it remains proportionate, responsive and focused on meaningful progress.

Supported living allows people to live in accommodation they can genuinely call home while receiving care and support according to their assessed needs. Individuals will usually have their own tenancy or licence agreement and are supported to exercise the rights and responsibilities associated with living in their own home.

Housing and support are normally arranged separately. This means the accommodation is not simply provided as part of a care package, and the person’s support can be reviewed or changed without automatically bringing their housing arrangement to an end.

Depending on the individual’s needs, support may include personal care, medication support, budgeting, shopping, meal preparation, household management, attending appointments, accessing education or employment, participating in community activities and developing independent living skills.

Every support package is personalised and regularly reviewed to ensure it continues to reflect the person’s needs, progress and aspirations.

Supported living may be suitable for adults who want to live as independently as possible while continuing to receive personalised care and support.

This can include people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, acquired brain injuries, complex support needs or forensic histories requiring structured support within the community.

Supported living is not limited to people with lower support needs. Depending on the assessment and agreed care package, it can accommodate people who require regular daytime support, overnight assistance, shared staffing or intensive individual support.

Each referral is assessed individually. We consider the person’s support needs, risks, communication requirements, mobility, preferred location, compatibility with others and the suitability of the proposed accommodation before determining whether a placement can safely meet their needs.

Although both models provide care and support, the legal, financial and practical arrangements are different.

In residential care, accommodation and care are generally provided together as part of one registered service. The person normally occupies a room under the care home’s arrangements, and the provider manages both the premises and the care delivered within them.

In supported living, housing and support are usually separated. The individual may hold their own tenancy or licence agreement and receives a personalised support service based on their assessed needs. Their accommodation is treated as their home rather than as a room within a care setting.

Supported living can offer greater privacy, tenancy rights, personal responsibility, choice and control. However, the most appropriate model must always be determined through an individual assessment rather than assuming that one arrangement is suitable for everyone.