People with learning and/or physical disabilities may face barriers and may need support to achieve their goals. By being supported and by giving them choice and control over where, with whom and how they live helps them maintain their motivation and feeling of well-being.

There are many options available to individuals considering moving out of their home, some of these options are:

Supported living services enable younger people to live in their own home instead of in residential care or with family. It helps individuals to have their own home, or to share with others.

Short break services are for people who are normally supported by family or carers, allowing them to take a break. This gives the supported person the opportunity to make new friends and learn new skills.

Who are short breaks services for?

Short breaks are available to people with a learning disability that are normally supported by family or carers.

They receive support with:

• Personal care.
• Social/leisure activities.
• Household tasks.
• Taking medication.
• Making healthy lifestyle choices.

If you value maintaining your independence, Extra care housing offers a secure place to live in a home of their own, but with care and support on hand 24-hours a day.

For many people, Extra care is the ideal solution as they can have their own space, but with the added reassurance that help is at hand. Extra care also allows people to move out of houses, into a home where they can be secure and live independently.

Benefits of Extra care housing:

• Practical help and support by an on-site team.
• Personal care - such as assistance with dressing, feeding and washing.
• Interaction with surrounding community.
• Couples can stay together, rather than being seperated.
• Emergency help is always available.

Services such as help with housekeeping/shopping and laundry is available, however, some providers charge for some or all of these services.

Extra care housing

Retirement housing

Retirement housing is usually for people aged 55+ who value having their independence, but also like the option of assistance being on hand if there is an emergency.

Retirement housing can be rented or sold on a leasehold or shared ownership basis. Each scheme varies in the facilites and services it offers, below is a list of services that are available in retirement housing:

• 24-hour support line.
• Domestic and maintenance help.
• Suite for visiting family or friends.
• Secure, onsite parking.
• Flexible, tailored care packages to suit all.

Many offer a wide range of social events for residents. Before buying/renting a retirement home, make sure you find out about running costs, such as service charges, ground rent, council tax and utility bills.

Housing Related Support helps vulnerable people live independently and enhance their quality of life.

Housing Related Support is delivered through accommodation based services, or floating support services.

Accommodation based services are linked to a property or scheme, such as self-contained accommodation, while Floating Support is not tied to particular accommodation.

Support might include:

• Managing budgets and applying for benefits.
• Gaining access to other services and organisations that can provide  support.
• Learning life and social skills.
• Finding out about work or college.
• Managing personal wellbeing.

Individuals will be assisted in creating a support plan which will give them a set of goals to work towards.

Floating Support is a service that provides housing related support to individuals to help them maintain independence in their own home.

The purpose of Floating Support is to enable service users to live as independently as possible within their community. It is usually a short term method of supporting people, and helps them focus on their strengths and plans for the future.