29th January 2024 • Scott Maddox

In this Q&A, we welcome Kirsty Hickson, a Senior Consultant at Altair Ltd. Kirsty shared her knowledge with us and answered some questions we’ve received from parents on supported housing.

I have heard about ‘supported housing’. What is this?

Supported housing is a type of housing where there is a link between the housing and receiving support and/or care services.

This means that the housing has been designed or purposefully adapted to meet the needs of someone who requires support and/or care.

Supported housing is usually provided by a housing association, local authority or a not-for-profit organisation.

Is supported housing just for adults?

Whilst most support housing is for adults, there are types of supported housing which are available for children and young people.

For instance, young people aged 16 and 17 may access supported housing in the form of Foyers, or a child may be offered ‘single occupancy’ housing where the housing is for their sole use, alongside any close family.

Many children and young people with disabilities can be supported to live in the family home, leaving supported accommodation as an option for when they wish to live more independently as a young adult.

As my child is getting older, my home doesn’t meet their needs anymore. What can I do?

If your child’s needs have changed, it is worth having a new needs assessment completed. You can do this by asking for a ‘child in need assessment’ from your local authority’s (council) social care department.

A social worker or occupational therapist should then undertake an assessment of your child and their needs. This assessment will help identify services which can help your child and your family to care for them.

You can also contact the local authority (council) to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if there is a need for aids and adaptations which will help ensure your child’s needs can be met. The assessment is used to support as evidence for any grant applications.

If your child’s needs exceed what could be changed through aids and adaptations, this might mean your housing is not suitable. If you think this is the case, contact the Housing team in your local authority (council) to discuss what the options are. Your child’s needs assessment will be helpful to evidence your needs, along with any other supporting information such as letters from their GP, their school etc.

I live in private rented accommodation/own my home. Is there assistance for my family too?

Yes. Your child will need a current needs assessment. If they do not have one, or their needs have changed, contact your local authority (council) and request a ‘child in need assessment’.

A social worker or occupational therapist should then complete an assessment of your child and their needs. This assessment will help identify services which can help your child and your family to care for them.

You are still entitled to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if you are in private rental housing or own your own home. It is important that you ask permission from your landlord before any adaptations are made to the property. You will need their support to access the grant and to ensure you do not breach any conditions of your tenancy agreement. The National Residential Landlords Association provides an easily digestible guide for Landlords on good practice in adaptations which can be found on their website.

If you own your own house with a mortgage, you may not need permission from your lender, but it is worth checking the conditions of your mortgage if the adaptations are likely to change the building structure or layout.

Is there support for carers available?

Yes, you have the right to request a carers assessment. You can do this by contacting your local authority’s (council) social care department.

I am interested in exploring supported housing options for my child. Where do I start?

It is helpful to begin by speaking with your child’s social worker. If you have requested a new ‘child in need assessment’, talk to the social worker or occupational therapist completing the assessment about this option. If your child does not have a named social worker, contact your local authority’s (council) social care department and ask to discuss children’s supported housing options.

You can begin to complete some of your own research. Speaking with other parents and/or with teachers at your child’s school can help identify supported housing providers they have knowledge of. This can then supplement an online search of supported housing providers in the local area.

Most reputable supported housing services will have a website and should give information about the services they provide, how housing can be accessed and contact details about who in the organisation can help. Some organisations have to be registered with a regulatory body because of the type of services they provide. It is worth checking the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission websites; this will tell you if they are registered and might also provide you with information about the findings of any inspections which have taken place.

When you have shortlisted a couple of options, it is worth contacting the provider and asking if you can visit and meet the team. These decisions are likely to be made through a combination of factors and it is valuable to experience the atmosphere and culture of a setting. Whilst there are lots of practical decisions which must be made, often getting that ‘gut feeling’ can count for a lot too.

It is important that you consult with your child’s social worker about the options you are exploring as their assessment will inform what financial support your child is entitled to to meet their needs.

What will happen when my child turns 18?

A lot of supported housing services are set up to cater for adults (people over 18 years old). If your child currently lives in supported accommodation or you are considering supported accommodation for them after the age of 18 years, there should be consideration given by their health and social care professionals to the transition process of moving from children’s to adults’ health and social care. This should mean that there is active transition planning to help your child during this eventual transfer of support. In some cases, this might mean your child will be supported to move from their current supported housing to new supported housing.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has produced guidance on how health and care professionals should manage transitions for young people. You can read this by visiting their website.

There is lots to think about. What support is out there for us during this process?

Your health and social care professionals will be a helpful source of support. They help families and young people every day and are familiar with the challenges transitions or moving home can present.

There are numerous children’s advocacy services available that provide advice, guidance and advocacy support. The National Youth Advocacy Service is a good place to start. You can visit their website here.

---