Everyone has different needs, but there are some general factors to look for. For example, you should make sure that the property is in the right location for you, is affordable, and encourages residents to be as independent as possible.

In this article, we’ll explain what you should look for in a supported living service, as well as the red flags to watch for. This way, you can find the supported accommodation that’s right for you or your loved one.

Need supported accommodation quickly? Find Your Room can help.

If you’re looking for independent living services, simply use FYR’s supported living search. You can search by location, and choose to see vacant properties – meaning you can avoid contacting services that don’t have space for you. You can also filter by care type, facilities, CQC rating, and property type, so you can find the supported living scheme that’s just right for you.

Before you look for supported housing

Before you start weighing up the options for supported living, you should arrange a needs assessment from your local authority. This will confirm whether supported accommodation is the right choice, or whether you’d benefit more from the additional support offered in a care home.

In this guide, we’re explaining how to find the right supported living solution for you. However, if supported housing isn’t right for you or your loved one, find out how to choose a care home.

After your needs assessment, you can start your supported living journey by looking for the right property, arranging funding, and beginning the move-in process.

What should I look for in a supported living service?

When you’re looking at supported living options, you want to find a service that can meet your needs. The right supported accommodation should be in a good location for you, encourage independence and individuality, and have enthusiastic and supportive staff. You’ll also want to consider costs and accessibility, as well as their CQC rating.

Everyone has different needs, but if you find a supported living property that ticks these boxes, you’ve made a good start. 

Let’s look at these factors in more detail.

A service that can meet your needs

You need to know that a supported living service can meet your needs. Whether you need help managing a complex health condition or you just need a little extra assistance to live independently, you should make sure that the property and staff team are set up to support you.

How to check that a supported living service can meet your needs:

  • Ask your local authority for a needs assessment before you meet with supported accommodation providers. This way, you’ll have a complete idea of your care needs and can share them with staff.

 

  • Talk to the staff team about your daily life, and explain the support you need. Ask how they would handle certain situations.

 

  • Ask if the service currently supports residents with similar needs to yours. See if you can speak to these individuals or their family members, and find out if they’re happy with the care they receive.

CQC rating

Supported living services often carry out regulated activities, such as delivering personal care or providing residential accommodation for people who need treatment for substance misuse.

If an organisation delivers a regulated activity, they must be registered with the CQC. This means that they’re regularly inspected, and given a rating.

The CQC ratings are:

  • Outstanding: The care service is performing very well
  • Good: The care service is meeting expectations
  • Requires Improvement: The CQC will give advice on how to improve
  • Inadequate: This rating is given to poorly-performing services, and the CQC will take action against the provider

Not all supported living providers will have CQC ratings. Some may be very new and haven’t been assessed yet, whereas others might not carry out any regulated activities.

How to check a service’s CQC rating:

 

  • All registered care providers must display their CQC rating on their websites and in person at the property. Check online and in public areas. 

 

  • Search for the property on the CQC website to find the full report of their last inspection.

 

  • If a property has a CQC rating, it will be listed on their entry on Find Your Room. You can even filter your searches by CQC rating to find properties that are rated Good or Outstanding.

 

  • If you can’t find a provider’s CQC rating, ask them why. 

Suitable costs

You’ll need to consider costs when choosing supported accommodation. Some properties may be more expensive than you can afford.

You may already know how much you can afford to pay each month, or you might be new to thinking about costs, especially if this is the first time you’ve lived alone. If so, you’ll need to think about how much your rent, service charge and care costs will be, as well as considering your daily living costs – things like food, transport, and utility bills.

You may be eligible for help to pay for supported living.

How to find out how much a supported living property costs:

 

  • Ask to see a breakdown of weekly or monthly costs from the provider. Their costs will probably include rent, a service charge (which will go to maintaining and repairing the property), and some care services.

 

  • Ask if there are additional costs for certain services, such as housekeeping.

 

  • If the supported accommodation regularly runs events, days out, or holidays, ask for examples of recent costs there.

Good location

Do you like the location? You’ll want to find a supported living service that is in a convenient location for you, so that you can continue spending time with family and friends and being part of your local community. 

How to decide if supported accommodation is in the right location for you:

 

  • Consider places that you regularly visit, such as college, family members’ homes, or favourite shops. Is the property near them? 

 

  • If you regularly use public transport, look at how easy it will be to access it from the supported living scheme. Is the property on a bus route, near a train station, or served by a suitable taxi firm?

Accessibility 

Many people have additional needs to consider when choosing supported accommodation. 

If you use a wheelchair or other mobility aids, you’ll need to make sure that the property is suitable, for example. Housing for people with disabilities is often wheelchair-accessible – but not all supported living flats will be suitable for people with mobility needs. 

Some people may need support workers who can communicate in BSL or Makaton, or who are confident using a different language. 

If you have accessibility requirements, it’s important to visit the property beforehand and meet the team who will support you – or ask a trusted friend or relative to do so if you can’t.

How to decide if supported accommodation is accessible for you:

 

  • Before you visit, talk to the staff team about any accessibility needs. Will you need a ramp, letters produced in Braille, or a sign language interpreter?

 

  • Visit the property before committing to moving in, if possible. See if you can navigate around the property, or if you struggle. Focus particularly on areas like bathrooms, stairs, and entrances to the building. 

 

  • Ask if staff members can speak your preferred languages or communicate in BSL or Makaton. 

Residents with similar ages and needs

There are many supported living options available, and they house residents with a wide variety of needs. Many people prefer to live with people who are their age, and who have similar conditions. 

There are a few advantages to this. Firstly, the staff on site are more likely to understand your needs and know how to support you. Secondly, you have a better chance of making friends with other residents if they’re around your age and going through the same experiences. 

How to find supported accommodation that houses other people like you:

  • Specifically search for properties that support people in your situation. FYR’s supported living search lets you filter by care type.

 

  • Talk to people at support groups or online and ask for recommendations of suitable properties.

 

  • Visit the property before you commit to moving in, and meet the other residents. 

Encouragement of independence and individuality

A good supported living scheme will encourage residents to be as independent as possible, and follow their interests. Most people who choose supported accommodation do so because they want more independence than they’d get in a care home, so it’s important to make sure that you’ll be able to make your own choices.

You may want to attend college, spend time visiting loved ones, or learn important life skills like meal preparation – if these are a priority for you, make sure that the independent living service will support you. 

Some supported accommodation will have rules that all residents must follow, especially if you’re younger or are recovering from addiction. You might need to agree to stay away from illegal drugs, follow a curfew, or avoid having overnight visitors. These guidelines are usually designed to keep all residents safe and healthy – but make sure you understand the rules before you agree to move in.

How to see if a supported living scheme encourages independence and individuality:

 

  • If possible, ask to look at current residents’ rooms. Do they show evidence of their interests and personalities?

 

  • Ask if residents are encouraged to get involved with housekeeping and meal preparation. 

 

  • Ask if residents attend college, go on day trips, or follow a programme of learning life skills. 

 

  • Ask staff about rules, and talk to current residents about how they’re enforced.

Your personal priorities

We’ve talked about some general factors that can help you choose a good supported living scheme. 

Remember, though, that you should also think about your own priorities – for example, do you want to find a property that accepts pets, carers who speak your native language, or a community of people who share your culture and religion? If so, it’s important to ask about these priorities before you agree to move in.

Red flags to watch out for in supported accommodation

When you visit a supported living property for the first time, or speak to staff members, you might notice some worrying signs. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

Poor CQC ratings: If a care service is regulated by the CQC but has a rating of Inadequate or Requires Improvement, this could be a cause for concern. Read through the CQC report, and ask the team what they’ve done to improve since their last inspection.

Poor hygiene: If the property isn’t clean, it suggests that staff aren’t able to spend enough time on housekeeping, or residents aren’t getting enough support to manage their home – and this could make life unpleasant for you if you move in. 

High staff turnover: Ask about staff turnover. High turnover suggests that staff aren’t happy working at the property – and can be unsettling for residents.

Vague costs: Staff should be able to tell you what the weekly or monthly costs for the property are. If they’re vague about costs, prices keep changing, or they don’t want to talk about finances, this could be a sign that they’re hiding extra charges from you.

Uninterested staff: Watch how staff interact with existing residents. Are they supportive and interested in their lives, or are they dismissive? 

What if supported living isn’t right for me?

Independent living services aren’t the right choice for everyone. 

Some people with complex health needs may need extra support, and might prefer to move to a care home. In a care home, staff will be on site 24 hours a day, and residents will have care, meals, and housekeeping provided. 

Other people might prefer to stay at home with family. In many cases, this is possible with the help of home care. A care worker will come to your home and deliver personal care, provide companionship, and offer support with housekeeping. 

Whatever your needs, Find Your Room can help you search for care services with availability, so that you can stay as healthy and independent as possible.