Supported Living: Empowering Independence in the Community
Supported living is a versatile and individualized care model that provides people with disabilities and their families with community-based services and housing arrangements designed to support autonomy and community integration. Through supported living, individuals can achieve a greater degree of independence or interdependence within their communities, creating a supportive environment where they can live with dignity and purpose.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) recognizes "supported living" and "extra care" as distinct service types. Both are required to register with the CQC when providing regulated activities such as personal care. However, supported living arrangements differ from traditional care homes in that they separate housing from the provision of care. This arrangement allows individuals to live independently, with support tailored specifically to their needs, without being classified as a residential care home.
Key Differences in Supported Living
In supported living schemes and extra care schemes, the living arrangements are handled independently of the care services, meaning the accommodations themselves are not subject to CQC registration or inspection as they would be in a traditional care home. The CQC inspects only the care services provided, such as personal care, to ensure they meet regulatory standards. This separation enables individuals to retain their sense of home and independence while still receiving the professional support they require.
CQC Compliance Standards
Supported living schemes adhere to CQC’s stringent registration and outcome requirements, similar to those required for domiciliary care providers. However, supported living services are registered solely for regulated activities like "personal care" and not for the housing element of care. Consequently:
- Individualized Care Support: Supported living care providers deliver services under domiciliary care registration, focusing on personal care and support tailored to each individual’s needs. These care services comply with CQC regulations regarding personal care quality, safety, and individual rights.
- Accommodation Standards: While CQC standards ensure that care services meet specific safety and quality benchmarks, they currently lack authority over the accommodation quality itself within supported living. Unlike residential care homes, supported living accommodation is not inspected for premises and equipment standards under Regulation 15 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008.
There has been ongoing discussion in policy circles regarding the need to regulate the housing aspect of supported living, as some accommodations may not always meet adequate safety and quality standards. However, any expansion of CQC's regulatory scope to include accommodations within supported living would require a legislative change.
Supported Living for Couples
Supported living can also accommodate couples, allowing partners to live together while receiving individualized support based on each person’s needs. This can be particularly beneficial for couples where one or both individuals require personal care but wish to maintain their shared home. Supported living enables couples to stay connected in a familiar environment, with flexible care packages that respect their relationship, privacy, and independence.
The CQC's Registering the Right Support policy, developed as part of the "Building the Right Support" agenda, emphasizes the importance of accommodations in supported living for people with learning disabilities and autism. This policy underscores the need for accommodations to meet the unique needs of residents, which the CQC considers in their assessment of supported living providers seeking registration or expanding their services.
Benefits of Supported Living
- Independent Living: Supported living promotes personal independence, enabling individuals to live as self-sufficiently as possible within their communities.
- Community Integration: Supported living arrangements encourage individuals to remain active and engaged in their local communities, fostering social connections and promoting an enriched quality of life.
- Flexible Support: Care services in supported living are tailored to meet the evolving needs of each individual, with the flexibility to adjust as circumstances change.
- Choice and Control: Individuals retain control over their daily lives, with the freedom to manage their routines, visitors, and activities.
- Privacy and Autonomy: Supported living provides a dignified and private environment where individuals can feel at home without the institutional atmosphere of a care home.
With KJD Care’s live-in service, you’re empowered to live the life you choose, staying in the environment that feels most like home, with the people and surroundings that bring you comfort and joy. Let us provide the support you need to live fully and independently, without having to leave home.
Future Developments in Supported Living
The conversation around supported living continues to evolve, with on-going discussions about how best to improve both the regulatory scope and the quality of accommodations within these settings. The CQC remains committed to promoting high standards in care provision and continue to assess how the supported living model can further empower people to live independently and safely in their communities.
Supported living is a powerful option for individuals with disabilities seeking a balanced approach to care and independence, ensuring that they can enjoy a fulfilling life within their chosen community and alongside their loved ones.