Linden Farm Allotment
DATE: 25.09.2023
The Linden Farm Allotment is a project for young adults with autism in Surrey to learn and enjoy growing flowers and vegetables.
Supported living services are designed for those who want to live as independently as possible, while still being able to rely on access to the individual support they need. This kind of support package is ideal for those with capacity and ability who still need help with day-to-day tasks and activities, including those ready to move on from a residential home or special needs education. However, in many cases, people with profound or multiple complex needs can also benefit from a supported living environment, with care staff providing 24-hour support. What's critical is that our supported living services offer the same standards of care quality and personalised support as our residential homes; the care is the same, just the venue is different.
Choice Care is a leading provider of supporting living services across the South, South West and West Midlands. We work closely with local authorities, care professionals and housing providers to deliver support packages based on individual need.
If you need help finding accommodation, or simply want to understand more about how supported living services work, you can contact our Referrals Team on 0203 195 0151, who are happy to answer any questions, or connect you with the relevant local authority resources in your area.
What is Supported Living?
Supported living services offer care and assistance for those living in rented accommodation or in their own homes. Under a supported living arrangement, personal care and accommodation are provided under separate contractual agreements. Housing is often provided through the local authority or a registered housing association, and funded through the individual's benefits or earnings. Support is delivered by a care provider, like Choice, and funded by the local council or in some cases the NHS.
People in supported living may choose to live on their own, with another person or in a shared house where everyone contributes to bills and upkeep. These shared homes are often existing properties that have been specifically converted to provide the right environment for those with particular needs. Each person will generally have their own tenancy agreement detailing their individual rights and responsibilities.
The support provided is flexible and based on individual needs. It can range from a few hours each day to full time, 24-7, with a care worker staying overnight at the person's home.
How we support you
At Choice Care we support people with a wide range of learning disabilities, autism and mental health conditions. The support we provide is tailored specifically to individual needs, preferences and aspirations, helping everyone to live as happily and independently as possible.
People we supportWhat's included?
A supported living package can include help with:
- Shopping, cooking and menu-planning
- Learning new skills for independence
- Personal care, health and wellbeing
- Managing medication
- Access to education and support into work
- Accessing social and leisure activities
- Meeting people in the local community
- Cultural or religious needs
- Identifying and claiming benefits
- Managing bills and money
And what's not?
As well as what's included, it's important to understand what's not usually part of a supported living arrangement:
- Rent and accommodation
- Food and drink
- Furniture - unless in furnished accommodation, tenants are required to furnish their own rooms and contribute to any communal areas
- Utility bills
- Maintenance and repairs - where not covered in the tenancy agreement
- Activities - you need to pay for any activities you participate in
- Transport - we can support you to use public transport if required
- Any specialist equipment - we can support you to contact services such as Occupational Health
- Personal items, such as clothing or personal care
An important part of the service we provide is to help those we support understand their responsibilities and manage their budgets in each of these areas effectively.
Care pathways
We have a proven track record of helping people who are able to move along the pathway from a residential setting to a more independent environment as their needs evolve.
Quality standards
Quality of care is always our priority. We are at the forefront of national best practice. Our care and safety standards significantly exceed statutory requirements and are supported by strong governance and rigorous internal and independent audit processes.
Assuring qualityResidential care or supported living?
What to expect? Learn more about the difference between residential care and supported living services.
Eligibility and funding
The level of support anyone needs is planned and agreed with them and, if appropriate, their immediate family. Usually an assessment is completed by a care manager or social worker, before they're introduced to a suitable care provider.
Some people choose to take a Personal Independence Payment or Direct Payment and select a provider directly. With this comes responsibility for all aspects of working arrangements and employee wellbeing, which the council can advise on.
If you choose a support provider like Choice, then you will be introduced to our support staff to ensure everyone gets on. The council, or in some cases the NHS, then pays the support provider direct and closely monitors the service that you receive.
Benefits available to those in supported living arrangements vary depending on their level of need and ability. They may include:
- Disability Living Allowance or a Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance allowance (for those over 65)
- Employment and support allowance
Some people also receive Housing Benefit to help them with their rent as well as benefits and grants to assist with special adaptations to their homes.
Working with registered providers
In each supported living service, the roles and responsibilities of the support provider and registered housing provider - the landlord - are set out in a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that both parties agree to and sign. Each SLA is different, with distinct working arrangements, reporting procedures and some variation in responsibilities. At Choice Care, our aim is always to work in partnership with the landlord in the best interests of those we support.
How to find out more
To find out more about our supported living or enquire about our other care and support services, please get in touch:
Find a service
Our stories
