Housing

High-level supported living is an approach to housing and support for vulnerable people with a disability, based on the belief that every person has the right to lead their own life and to determine where, how, and with whom they live, and who provides them with support. The scheme allows vulnerable people to maintain their dignity and be part of a community while managing housing tenancies.

What does it mean in practice?

Long-term schemes are designed for people who need full support to live independently, while short-term schemes are designed to help people acquire the emotional and practical skills needed to move into mainstream housing. The support given to occupiers depends on their needs, and can include:

• Help with getting benefits
• Developing independent living skills, such as how to cope in a crisis
• Developing budgeting skills
• Encouragement to reconnect with family and friends, or develop new social networks
• Assistance in taking up education, training and employment opportunities
• Support with personal care and meal preparation
• Support with keeping people safe
• Using specific positive behaviour training for people with high needs

The purpose of supported living is:

• To enable people to live as independently as possible in the community
• To support social involvement
• To give support which is right and unique to the person
• To ensure, in all cases, that staff will have the right skills to see the world through the eyes of the people they support

How is supported living different from residential care?

People who live in a 'supported living' property have control over the support they get, who they live with (if anyone) and how they live their lives. They're able to make choices about how to live their lives, or be supported to do so.

What it means for you:

• I choose who I live with
• I choose where I live
• I have my own home
• I choose how I am supported
• I choose who supports me
• I get good support
• I choose my friends and relationships
• I choose how to be healthy and safe
• I choose how to take part in my community
• I have the same rights and responsibilities as others
• I get help to make changes in my life if I need it

What is a tenancy agreement or licence?

A tenancy agreement, or licence, is a contract between you and your landlord (the person who owns or leases the property).

The agreement gives certain rights to both you and your landlord. For example, your right to live in the accommodation and the landlords right to receive rent for letting you live in the accommodation.

• The agreement is a legal document and you must keep to it by law
• The agreement gives you the right to stay in your own home as long as you don't break it
• You'll be asked to sign the agreement (contract)
  
• When you sign the agreement (contract) for the property you become an occupier with a tenancy or licence

If you live in a house as the occupier there are things that you must do, and things that the landlord must do. Here are some examples of what an occupier must do:

• Ask for help if you need to
• Pay your rent and any other charges. The amount will have been agreed in your agreement
• Pay your bills for other costs for your home
• Look after your home. Keep it clean and tidy
• Tell the landlord if something is broken or needs repairing
• Be a good neighbour. Most people like peace and quiet in the evening. Don't damage your home

If you'd like to know more about any of these things we're happy to talk to you.

Here are some examples of what you can expect from your landlord:

• Your landlord will repair and maintain your home and make sure it's safe for you to live in
• Repairs will be done within a reasonable time
• You have a right to check who you let into your home. Your landlord should tell you when they visit
• You have the right to complain about any of the services provided. We'll deal with complaints as quickly as we can
• Your landlord must inform you before any changes are made that affect you

If you'd like to know more about any of these things we're happy to talk to you.

Moving into supported living

What words mean…
Words in bold will be explained at the bottom of this page.

If you decided to move to supported living you'll have an assessment with a social worker. In your assessment your social worker will find out what support you need and what type of house would suit you best. You can also tell the social worker if you have a friend or a group of friends you'd like to live with.

You might have to wait for a house or flat to be available. It might need to be redecorated or adapted to meet your needs.

You and your family or carers will be invited to visit a house, bungalow or flat that is right for you. If other people already live in the property you and your family or carers will meet them too.

The service provider will also work with you and your family to assess your needs. This is to make sure that they can support you if you decide to move into the property.

Following these discussions, if you're happy with the property and decide that you'd like to live there, you will have a mental capacity assessment to make sure you're able to:

• Decide where to live
• Manage your money
• Hold a tenancy or licence

You and your family or carers are involved in this assessment. They can help you to do these things if the social worker and provider agree that it's in your best interests. The support workers from the new provider will work with you and your family or carers to develop your support plan for your new home.

You could go to the new flat or house for dinner or a sleepover to get to know the support workers and the other people who live there. You'll agree a day to move into your new home with your family or carers, your social worker and the new provider.

You can then move into your new supported living home!