Supported living is a type of care and accommodation model designed to help adults with additional needs live as independently as possible in their own homes or small shared houses. It’s commonly used for people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, physical disabilities, or acquired brain injuries. Rather than “living in a service,” the person has their own tenancy or licence agreement, more choice over where they live, who they live with, and how their home is run. Support is then wrapped around them, instead of them having to fit into a traditional residential care setting.
Support in supported living is flexible and person-centred. It can include help with everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, managing money, personal care, medication, travel, social activities, and building skills for work or volunteering. Hours and intensity of support are tailored to the individual: some people may need a few hours a day, others 24-hour staffing with sleep-in or waking-night support. The overall aim is to promote independence, dignity, and inclusion in the community—so people can have an ordinary life: friends, hobbies, relationships, and control over their own choices.
