Page 20 - CL winter 2023 for web

legal

A new source of homes is sought

Many people thrive in supported living. However, with the It will not work for everyone –
shortage of social housing, we need the finance and the flexibility and sometimes councils see this
sort of housing as a placement
to secure homes from elsewhere, says Suzanne Gale rather than as a home with a
tenant’s rights and responsibilities
– but we are being more creative
I with the responsibilities of having National Statistics data shows
about trying to make it possible.
Despite this, the latest Office of
recently went to meet a tenant
in her flat to check she was
around two-thirds adults with a
to pay bills and save up for a sofa, it
receiving the appropriate
comes a sense of empowerment
learning disability are still living
support from her provider and
and pride.
with their parents, compared to
was delighted to be turned away.
approximately 18% of people with
As a social care and health
The woman, in her 30s and
people thriving in supported living,
living in north London, felt I
like the tenant I visited.
did not look enough like the consultant, I have seen so many no known disability.
photograph I sent her ahead of my Supported living means people here was a big push at one
visit (it was an old one). have their own tenancy that is not time for social landlords to
I was delighted because her directly linked to their care and Tbuild and adapt homes for
decision to refuse entry reflected support. This enables more control people needing additional support,
her right to choose who should over who supports you, how you and funding to make this happen.
cross the threshold into her spend your money and who you The Supporting People
one-bedroom, ground-floor flat. live with. programme, introduced 20 years
Our meeting went ahead after she The adult social care world is ago under the Labour government,
called her support worker to check. now more understanding that provided ringfenced funds, a
Even if you need significant supported living should be the framework and clear guidance to
support to live in your own home, norm rather than the exception. regulate the sector locally.
20 Community Living winter 2023 vol 36 no 2