Options for supported living  

A care needs assessment is the first step to find out: 

• the level of care and support you need  
• how you can get this support 

The adult social services department of your local council does the assessment. Anyone can ask for one. 

Getting a social care needs assessment 

Apply for a needs assessment by social services (GOV.UK) 

The assessment might find that you are eligible for personal care, which includes: 

• washing 
• dressing and  
• going to the toilet 

You may have other care needs, including support to: 

• prepare and eat food 
• do household tasks 
• develop and maintain personal relationships 

If social services decide you are eligible for support, they will talk to you about the available options.  

Advice on applying for supported living 

You may: 

• need a higher level of support than you can get living independently or 
• benefit from living in a different kind of setting 

If so, social services could suggest that a residential care home or nursing home would meet your needs. 

Moving into residential care 

The person supporting you can also have a carer’s needs assessment. 

How to get a carer’s assessment

Social services also do a financial assessment to decide: 

• if you can afford to pay towards your care 
• how much you should pay 
• who will pay for your care 

Most people need to pay something towards their care and support. 

Financial assessment for social care 

Paying for social care

One way to live as independently as possible with the support you need is supported living or housing. Most homes in supported living are to rent. 

There are various types of supported living properties. They can be self-contained flats in a block or estate. You have your own front door, so you can go out when you choose. There are other people with similar needs living nearby.  

Supported living can also mean living in a house with other people with similar needs. You have your own bedroom and bathroom but share a: 

• lounge 
• kitchen 
• laundry room  
• garden 

You may be able to live with your partner in supported living. It depends on the housing scheme. 

There are a few supported living schemes available for younger people to live with disabled people their own age.    

Housing options for younger adults with a disability (NHS)  

You can visit a supported living property before you move in.

Care needs in supported living

Care and support in supported living depends on your needs assessment. 

You may be eligible for one-to-one support. Or you might share support hours with other people in: 

• your supported living property or 
• in the same development 

The support might be from someone like a care worker or housing support worker. They may be based in the same development or visit you to give care. 

Personal assistants, care workers and support workers

Support from a warden or manager  

For most types of supported living, there is a warden or manager for practical support if you need it. They might: 

• live onsite 
• be there during the day or 
• be available over the phone 

They can help in emergencies. You can usually get 24-hour emergency help through an alarm system as well. This might be a pendant or a wristband that you wear.

Supported living and assisted living 

Supported living is also called supported housing or accommodation. There are other ways of describing it. It depends on your: 

• area and 
• level of need 

Your local council might have another name, for example: 

• assisted living  
• sheltered housing  
• independent living  
• extra care housing 

Check with your local council.  

Find your local council (GOV.UK) 

Paying for rent in supported living 

You need to be able to pay rent in a supported living property. You can use Housing Benefit for this.  

You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you move into supported or sheltered accommodation. 

Housing benefit eligibility 

Other charges in supported living 

There might be other things you need to pay. These charges can include:   

• bills like Council Tax, water, gas and electricity   
• service charges to cover things like maintenance to the building and alarm system   

Before you move, it is good to know all the charges you may need to pay. 

Benefits and supported living 

Moving into supported living should not affect your benefits. But it is worth getting advice. 

Get advice with benefits

Shared Lives is when you move in with an individual care worker or a care worker and their family. You live as part of their family and have your own bedroom.  

There are schemes in most areas of England and Wales. 

Shared Lives care workers can support you to live independently in their home. They help you do everyday tasks like:  

• cooking  
• washing clothes  
• going to appointments  

They can also support you with personal care.  

Shared Lives can be a way to: 

• learn new skills  
• become more independent 
• take part in new activities 
• make new friends 

If you have a partner who has similar needs, you may be able to move in with the same Shared Lives care worker. 

It might not be suitable for you if you have more complex needs. 

Shared Lives schemes (NHS) 

Accessing Shared Lives 

If social services think Shared Lives could meet your needs they will: 

• talk to you about how it works and 
• ask Shared Lives to find the best match for you 

You can also contact social services to ask about Shared Lives. 

Find your local social care services (NHS) 

Before you move in with a Shared Lives care worker, you should meet them in their home. It is your choice whether you want them to be your care worker. 

Shared Lives schemes (NHS)  

Find your local Shared Lives service (Shared Lives Plus) 

You can get advice on whether moving into Shared Lives will affect your benefits.
 
Get advice with benefits

Paying for Shared Lives 

You pay for renting a room from your Shared Lives care worker. You can use Housing Benefit for this. 

Housing benefit eligibility 

You also pay towards food and bills. 

Your local council decides if you need to contribute to the cost of your care. It depends on your financial assessment. 

Financial assessment for social care

Some parts of England and Wales have Homeshare living schemes. They match people who need support with people who can help. This can help you stay independent in your home and give you companionship.  

The Homeshare helper moves into your home and can help with:  

• tasks around the home like cleaning and gardening 
• going shopping and getting groceries  
• life admin like reading your letters  

You need to have a spare bedroom for them. They will not provide personal care.  

Assessing your needs 

Paying for your care 

Accessing Homeshare 

Social services may feel Homeshare is a good option if you do not need social care. They can talk to you about: 

• how it works 
• the support you can get 

They refer you to a Homeshare worker to find the best match for you. 

You can also contact social services to find out more about Homeshare. 

Find your local social care services (NHS) 

You will get to interview the person before you agree they can move in. If you meet them and do not want to live with them, you have the right to say no.  

Getting extra help at home with Homeshare (Homeshare UK) 

Getting Homeshare support for someone else (Homeshare UK) 

Paying for Homeshare 

The person who moves into your home can contribute to your bills, but they do not pay rent.  

You both pay a monthly fee to the Homeshare organisation. The amount depends on your local area.  

How Homeshare living works (Homeshare UK)  

Get advice on whether taking part in a Homeshare will affect your benefits. 

Get advice with benefits

Supported living providers have their own rules about whether you can bring pets. It may depend on whether anyone who already lives there: 

• has a pet allergy 
• wants to live in the same building as a pet 

The Equality Act 2010 does not define assistance animals as pets. This means you have legal rights if you have an assistance animal.  

Landlords, rental agencies and other housing providers must look to make reasonable adjustments so an assistance animal can live with you. 

Reasonable adjustments 

If you want to move in with a Shared Lives care worker, the organisation will try to find the right home for you and your pet or assistance animal. 

It might take longer if potential care workers have: 

• a family member with a pet allergy 
• an existing pet who does not get on with other animals 

For Homeshare, the person moving in with you will need to be happy living with a pet or assistance animal.

Your local council must give you information and advice on options for supported living. This can be for you or someone you care for. Contact them to ask how to access their information service.  

Find your local council (GOV.UK)  

There are also organisations that can tell you about how housing works in your area. You can contact your local:  

• Shelter office
• Citizens Advice

Changing where you live might affect your benefits. Use a free online benefits calculator to:  

• find out what you are entitled to  
• see how changes would affect your benefits  

Benefits calculator (Turn2us)  

If you need free benefits advice or support in person:  

• Find an adviser (Advicelocal)  
• Find a local benefits adviser (Turn2us)

Talk to people with similar experiences and get advice and support from our online community.