Supported Living Services
You may prefer not to live in residential care, but find it difficult to cope at home. But you may, with help, be able to live independently in the community. If so, you may want to consider supported living services.
Services that support independent living consist of suitable or adapted accommodation. This can be your own home and some forms of personal care. Some supported living homes consist of two or three people with similar conditions.
Staff will visit the home to provide motivation. This could be encouragement to get out of bed and go out to college or work. Support with carrying out simple tasks such as shopping and housework, if required.
Why choose supported living services?
Supported living services may be a good option in some circumstances. They can offer flexibility, better value for money than some of the alternatives, whether you fund your own care or receive a personal budget.
Supported living services are not regulated by the Care Quality Commission. Any personal care provided, such as help with washing or preparing food is regulated. Such care must not be delivered by the housing owner, but by a registered homecare agency or provider.
Supported living services
These can accommodate you if you need 24 hour care and support services in your own flat or room with en-suite. There may also be communal facilities (lounge/kitchen/laundry). You will be supported to maintain a tenancy agreement. A capacity assessment may be carried out. If you are assessed as not having capacity in relation to tenancy agreements an application to the court of protection will be made. There will be one member of staff on site at all times. They do group activities, deal with maintenance issues, general security and so on. You will have your needs assessed. You will have a personal budget which covers your 1 to 1 needs above the core hours support. This can be taken as a direct payment or procured by the County Council on your behalf.
Shared supported living-flats
These services are for people who need 24 hour care and support within a flat. You will have communal facilities (lounge/kitchen/laundry). You will usually have your own front door within the internal building.
Shared supported living-rooms
These provide you with 24 hour care and support services. You will occupy a room, usually with en-suite. There will also be communal facilities (lounge/kitchen/laundry).
Individual supported living
This accommodates people who do not need 24 hour care and support services. There will not be communal facilities but you will often have your own front door onto the street. Care and support is provided in an individualised way.
Residential care services
If you need care and support in a registered service. The service will be registered by The Care Quality Commission. They will also have an appointed registered manager. Care, support and accommodation are provided together.
General provision
If you are not eligible for Adults and Family Well Being Services then some of the options available to you are:
- Registering with the District Councils Home Choice service
- Private landlords
Finding out more about supported living services
Find supported living services near you. There is also:
Care Advice Buckinghamshire
Care Advice Buckinghamshire is a website for adults in need of care and support in Buckinghamshire, their families and carers. You can find information and advice, ways to assess your own needs, community support and care products and services.
Comfort Care Services
Comfort Care Services is an organisation providing supported housing for vulnerable adults. Comfort Care Services support mental health, learning disabilities and other complex needs.
If a supported living service is not suitable for you, you may still want to think about help at home. Help at home, wherever you live, and other help, such as equipment that might make your life easier.