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Supported living: a guide for families
Many of the people we support already live in their own homes, and we support many other people to move into their first home from the family home or residential care. This page explains what supported living means for the people we support and answers the main questions their families have.
What do we mean by supported living?
By ‘supported living’ we mean where someone lives in their own home (owned or with a tenancy) and receives support with their daily living.
The support can be on a 24-hour basis or for just a few hours a week.
The person can live on their own or share with other people.
The support provided can include personal care or other aspects of daily living such as shopping and paying bills.
What are the main features of supported living?
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The person we support has their own tenancy and pays all their own bills.
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The benefits claimed are different – they will usually include Housing Benefit and any disability-related benefits, but will depend on each person’s circumstances.
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The landlord may provide white goods and some furniture; the person we support will need to buy or bring their own smaller items and their bedroom furniture.
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With a few exceptions, there will not be an office in the building and staff will not have keys without the person’s agreement.
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We will support people to keep and manage their keys safely.
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The manager will usually be based at the local office but will still visit on a regular basis.
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The home will not need to have all the signs, equipment and records of a residential home – but we still have to carry out risk assessments and checks, to ensure people are safe.
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The building will be more homely, and we will keep only essential information there that staff need, so that they can provide good and safe support.
If someone lacks the capacity to make decisions about supported living, such as how to manage their finances or sign a tenancy, a decision will be made in their best interests on each occasion. Relatives’ views are considered when making these decisions. If necessary, a deputy can be appointed by the Court of Protection to manage someone’s finances and to sign their tenancy agreement.
What does this mean for the people we support?
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People have more choice and control about their daily life, how they are supported and who comes into their home with staff support.
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People buy their own food and household items, pay their own utility bills and their own transport and activities.
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Most people we support have more money to spend once they have paid all their bills and daily living expenses.
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There is no set routine unless the person wishes to have one. People will be supported to shop and cook, doing as much as they can for themselves. In shared accommodation, the tenants will agree how they wish to share the bills, household tasks, shopping and cooking – just like anyone else who shares a house.
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We will also support people to be part of their local community.
How do we ensure people are supported well in supported living?
We know that a move to supported living can be worrying for the people we support and their families. However:
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Staff will still be available to support the person in the way that they need, whenever they need it.
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The personal care we provide will still be registered with the Care Quality Commission (in England) or the Care Inspectorate (in Scotland). Our office and records will be inspected regularly and the inspector will ask to speak to people we support and their relatives as part of this process.
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The manager of the location will still spend time in the person’s home, listening to their feedback and ensuring staff are supporting people well and keeping them safe.
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The location will be subject to regular quality and health and safety checks by managers and staff.
In summary, supported living gives the people we support the most choice and control over their lives, the best possible income and the chance to live a life like everyone else around them. This is why it’s the preferred way for Affinity Trust to support people – in their own home.
If you would like to talk to someone about supported living and what it means for your relative, please contact our nearest office using the details at the bottom of this page.