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Supported/Assisted Living

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 is Supported/Assisted Living

Supported living is a service that helps individuals live in their own home (owned or with a tenancy) and receives support with their daily living. An individual may live in an individual flat or have a room in a house with two or three other adults with similar support needs. The support can be on a 24-hour basis, visits every day or for just a few hours a week.

The support provided can include:

  • Managing your money and benefits
  • Running your home and keeping it clean and tidy
  • Getting washed and dressed
  • Cooking and shopping
  • Going out to education, volunteering or work
  • Doing activities and socialising with friends
  • Going to visit your family

What are the main features of Supported/Assisted Living

  • The individual we support has their own tenancy and pays all their own bills.
  • The benefits claimed are different – they will usually include Housing Benefit and any disability-related benefits but will depend on each individual’s circumstances.
  • The landlord may provide white goods and some furniture; the individual we support will need to buy or bring their own smaller items and their bedroom furniture.
  • With a few exceptions, there will not be an office in the building and staff will not have keys without the individual’s agreement.
  • We will support individuals to keep and manage their keys safely.
  • The manager will usually be based at the local office but will still visit on a regular basis.
  • 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.
  • 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.

What does this mean for the individual we support

  • Individuals have more choice and control about their daily life, how they are supported and who comes into their home with staff support.
  • Individuals buy their own food and household items, pay their own utility bills and their own transport and activities.
  • Most individuals we support have more money to spend once they have paid all their bills and daily living expenses.
  • There is no set routine unless the person wishes to have one. individuals 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.
  • We will also support individuals to be part of their local community.

How we create Supported Living plans

Support plans are created once we have really got to know each individual and built a clear understanding of their history, their current situation and their future goals. We have in-depth conversations with the individual, their family and any relevant care professionals to make sure that we have all the necessary information and have taken the time to hear each individual’s views and wishes before we provide service. Once a support plan is in place, we regularly review progress, recognising and celebrating every achievement and continuing to encourage each person to set new goals to achieve even more.

What is important when choosing supported living accommodation

Feeling comfortable, happy and safe in your home is crucial to your wellbeing and development, so we work hard to create such environments. We source accommodation from property developers who have houses, apartments and bungalows that are specially designed to enabling more independent living. We also work with housing associations to find suitable and affordable places for individuals to live, and we are on hand to help sort out tenancy agreements where needed, providing individuals with the security of their own homes. A selection of houses are fitted with assistive technology.

With this wide variety of supported living accommodation to choose from, we take the time to get to know each individual to understand what location, accommodation and adaptations will be best suited to meet their current requirements and future goals. We know it is important to be surrounded by people you enjoy spending time with, so where individuals express an interest to live with others, we support by finding suitable housemates with similar lifestyles and interests. Our supported living homes are set in the communities with easy access to local amenities and attractions, along with having transport links close by.

How the process works

Step 1

To move to a supported living service, you will need to have funding in place. Contact your local council or GP who will put you in touch with a social worker to help get your support agreed.

Step 2

Once your local council has agreed your support, you can then get in touch with Ringstead Healthcare. One of our Referral Managers will then get in touch with you.

Step 3

We'll arrange a visit in person to get to know you a little better. We'll talk about your current situation, support need and also your short, medium, and long-term ambitions.

Step 4

We'll arrange visits to our available apartments or shared houses in your chosen location so you can have a look around and ask our team any questions you might have.

Step 5

We'll create you a support and funding proposal and send it to your local council for approval - keeping you up to date throughout the process.

Step 6

Once funding is approved, we can set a move in date, and will be on hand to support you through the whole transition process to make the move as smooth as possible.

How do we ensure people are supported well in supported living

We know that a move to supported living can be worrying for the individual we support and their families. However:

  • Staff is available to support the individual in the way that they need, whenever they need it.
  • The personal care we provide is registered with the Care Quality Commission (in England). Our office and records are inspected regularly and the inspector will ask to speak to individuals we support and their relatives as part of this process.
  • The manager of the location spend time in the individual’s home, listening to their feedback and ensuring staff are supporting the individual well and keeping them safe.
  • The location is subject to regular quality and health and safety checks by managers and staff.

In summary, supported living gives the individuals we support choice and control over their lives, the best possible incomes and the chance to live a life like everyone else around them. Therefore, it is the preferred way for Ringstead Healthcare to support individuals in their own homes.

If you would like to talk to someone about supported living and what it means for your relative, please CONTACT US

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