What is Supported Living?

What is supported living?

Supported living refers to a service designed to help individuals with various support needs maintain their independence while living in their own homes.  It may involve personal care and support being provided separately from housing, allowing individuals to have their on tenancies and manage their own bills.

What is the benefit of supported living over residential homes?

The main principle is that individuals have choice and control over the care they receive and who they live with, distinguishing it from traditional residential care settings.

Supported living services can be an option if you do not want to live in a residential setting but you’re finding it difficult to cope at home.

Supported living services are often smaller than residential services with anything from a single placement service, usually two or three people with similar needs and interests and can even be a single placement service if the needs dictate it.

How does it work?

Staff will visit the home to provide care and support tailored to your individual needs, personal care, preparing food, going out and about to activities, college etc.  Unlike a care home, this should be at a time that works for you rather than when the staff can fit you in.

Staff can help with managing money and budgeting, domestic tasks, shopping, paying bills etc, with the emphasis on enabling independence and promoting choice and control for the individual. They can support to access the community, activities and social situations.  Support should be there to assist you to meet your goals and expand your horizons to possible development and self-fulfilment.

You will have your own bedroom and your tenancy be for that room and use of the communal areas such as the kitchen, bathrooms and sitting rooms. If you are entitled to benefits, these will help to pay the bills and other living costs. Staff can support you to ensure you have claimed your entitlements such as Universal Credit. 

How much does it cost?

Each case will be different.  The rent is usually funded wholly or partly by housing benefit. Council tax is benefit is usually provided by the local council.   A care and support package can be set up by the local authority or you may have a personal budget to hire your staff. You could also self-fund a care package. The care package should be bespoke to your needs and wishes.

Summary

Supported living isn’t a one size fits all solution; Its adaptable to a wide range of individual needs from learning disabilities to mental health, autism to challenging behaviours and even older people who need a little extra assistance.

Through choosing supported living rather than residential care, you can maintain a level of independence, choice and control over your life with an opportunity to improve or learn new skills.

Choosing the right supported living arrangements is an important decision. It’s about finding the perfect match for you or your loved one’s needs and preferences. Don’t hesitate to ask lots of questions, view the properties, get to know any other tenants and ensure this is right for you.

If you think supported living may be a good option for you r a loved one, feel free to discuss your needs with Primcura, whether this is just a care and support package or you are looking for the perfect property for you.