Choosing care is not only about how much help someone needs. The right care plan will also reflect their preferences, communication style, level of independence, safety concerns, relationships and long term goals.

Supported living vs live in care – both can provide personalised assistance but they work in different ways.

Supported living is where a person lives in their own home or shared accommodation, with support around their needs.

Live in care is when a trained carer lives in the person’s home and provides ongoing support. This can include waking night care.

The choice depends on the person’s needs and the type of lifestyle they want.

What is supported living?

Supported living allows an adult with a learning disability to live as independently as possible while receiving any help they require. They might:

Rent their own house or flat
Share a home with other people
Receive support in accommodation arranged through a supported living service provider
Have support for a few hours a day to help them or assistance to support around the clock

The key feature of supported living is that accommodation and care are generally provided by separate people which gives the person needing care more control over where they live and who supports them.

What supported living includes

Supported living includes practical and personal care support. Examples of the type of care provided include:

Cooking, shopping and household tasks
Personal care, washing and dressing
Taking medication when needed
Attending appointments
Travelling, using public transport and getting out into the community
Going to work, college or voluntary activities
Attending mosque or gurdwara regularly
Building friendships and maintaining family relationships
Developing daily living skills
Managing money, bills and benefits

Supported living plans are based on what the person can do and they encourage independence and development of skills. Our carers are trained to encourage the person to do as much as they can safely and don’t take over tasks unnecessarily.

Different supported living arrangements

Supported living can be delivered in a few different ways, as previously mentioned. Here are four common arrangements:

Self-contained accommodation – the person has their own flat or house and they receive scheduled support when they need it.

Shared supported living – several people live in one property with staff available on hand on site when needed.

Clustered accommodation – individual flats or homes are located close together in a sheltered accommodation setting with staff available on hand.

24-hour supported living – staff are available continuously when the person has substantial care needs or safety requirements.

Supported living does not always mean living alone and getting only occasional help. If there is a need for higher levels of care, it can accommodate a person with significant needs, including round the clock support.

What is live in care?

In live in care a trained carer moves into the person’s home. This allows them to provide regular support throughout the day and overnight if reassurance or assistance is needed, depending on the agreed care plan.

It allows a person to remain in familiar surroundings, with support delivered in their existing home. This can be an individual flat or house, or it can be in the family home.

What live in care includes

Live in care might cover:

Personal care and morning or bedtime routines (dressing, washing, grooming)
Meal planning and preparation (including halal meals)
Medication prompts or administration, when permitted
Help with moving, mobility and daily activities
Companionship and emotional reassurance
Support with going out, attending appointments and social activities
Help maintaining routines and obligatory ritual prayers
Assistance when behaviour is complex and challenging
Respite for family members who provide substantial or long term care

Live in care does not mean constant one-to-one care every minute of the day. Where this is needed, a care team can be put in place to ensure that the carers can take breaks, rest at night, take holidays and cover any emergencies.

Live in care requirements

Live in care requires practical arrangements as there will be additional people living in the home with the person who needs care.

The carer needs a private bedroom
There should be suitable access to bathroom facilities
The home must be safe and appropriate for the person’s needs
A replacement care team and contingency plan must be put in place (Jothno Care will arrange this) for holidays, sickness and emergencies

Carers are carefully chosen to meet the needs of particular families (speak the same language, know the traditional and religious requirements, able to support dietary requirements and faith based routines)

Supported living vs live in care

These are the main comparisons to consider when choosing between supported living vs live in care:

	Supported living	Live in care
Where the person lives	Their own home, a shared property or specialist accommodation	Their existing home
Who lives with them	They live alone or with other residents	A carer lives with them
Staff	Staff may make scheduled visits or be shared or be available 24/7	One carer provides the main support or a team of carers support 24/7 assistance
Independence	Encourages the person to manage their own home and routines	Preserves independence at home but might include more direct assistance
Familiar	May involve moving to new accommodation	Maintains familiar environment at home
Flexibility	Depends on the accommodation provider	Care is person-centred around one person
Family	Family remain involved without providing daily care	Family remain involved while the carer provides daily care
Best for	People who want to remain independent	People who need substantial support at home

A note: Jothno Care and Support provide three types of care: accommodation, supported living services and full time live in care.

What are the benefits of supported living?

Greater control – supported living is designed to give a person greater control as they can choose where they live and who they live with, how they spend their day, what support they receive and how their home is run. It is a useful first step when moving out of home for the first time.

Building independence – supported living helps a person to learn skills like cooking, budgeting, cleaning and decision making gradually. The level of support can be increased or decreased as needs change over time.

Community inclusion – assistance with travel and public transport allows the person to go out and take part in social and religious activities. They can also go shopping, attend college or start working. Going out helps them to develop new relationships.

Separate providers – supported living services can be supplied by a separate provider to accommodation allowing the person to choose who supplies care. This can protect housing rights and increase the choices available. It can also mean that the person can stay in their own home.

Supported living accommodation does not suit every person. Shared living does not suit people who need quiet surroundings or structured routines e.g. those with autism. Support at accommodation varies and may not support 24-hour care.

What are the benefits of live in care?

Familiar environment – live in care allows a person to stay in the family home or their own flat or house. It maintains familiar routines, possessions, neighbours, and local relationships within the community. This is valuable for those who are anxious about change.

Individual support – live in carers get to know the person, they understand their communication methods, what their routine is like, and what triggers their emotions. They build trust with the person and this reduces confusion.

Flexible routines – care is individual and flexible and can change to support the person’s natural daily rhythm rather than following a rota of activities or routines that are typical of a shared accommodation.

Complex needs – where behaviour is challenging or needs are complex, live in care can provide support round the clock provided the home is suitable. Our professional carers are trained to handle challenging behaviours.

Live in care has some practical requirements. There needs to be enough space in the home for carers. It can impact privacy for the person receiving care and the family, if it is provided in a family home. The home must be practically suitable for the person who needs care.

Supported living vs live in care: which option should we choose?

The main reasons to consider when choosing between supported living vs live in care include personality of the person, independence goals and the extent of the support required.

Supported living may be suitable when:

The person wants their own home or wants to share a home
They want to develop practical skills
They don’t need someone with them continuously
Their family wants to be involved
They want support to be separate from accommodation

Live in care may be suitable when:

The person wants to remain in their current home
Familiar surroundings are important
They need frequent care throughout the day & potentially overnight
They would prefer one-to-one care
Their home is practical and has space for a carer
A move to suitable accommodation would be stressful

Every person has individual needs, which is why we recommend a care assessment as the first step when comparing supported living vs live in care. There are many different levels and types of care and care plans are developed to meet individual needs.

Questions to ask about care

We are sure you have many questions, but here are some to consider before you talk to someone about supported living vs live in care:

Questions about the individual

What does the person want?
How do they communicate their choices?
What can they do independently?
What support do they need at different times of day?
What situations cause anxiety or distress?
What routines, interests and relationships matter most?
Do they want to live alone, with family or with other people?
What risks need to be managed?

Questions about supported living

Is the accommodation self-contained or shared?
Who owns or manages the property?
Is there a tenancy or another form of housing agreement?
Is support available overnight?
How are housemates selected?
Can the person choose or change their support provider?
What happens if their needs change?
How will they be supported to develop independence?

Questions about live-in care

Does the carer have a private bedroom?
How are carers matched with the person?
What experience do carers have with learning disabilities?
How are breaks and overnight support managed?
Who provides emergency cover?
Can the person meet the carer before the arrangement begins?
How is the care plan reviewed?
What happens if the relationship is not a good fit?

Questions about quality and safety

Is the provider registered with the Care Quality Commission where registration is required? (Jothno Care’s services are rated Good by the Care Quality Commission)
What training do staff receive?
How are safeguarding concerns handled?
How are families and advocates involved?
How are incidents, complaints and changes in need recorded?
Can the family speak to current or previous clients, where appropriate?

If you have any questions around the choice between supported living vs live in care, please talk to our care team. We know that choosing the right care for your family with a learning disability is important to you. If you are choosing between supported living vs live in care, you are welcome to call us and we can talk you through the care options that are available.

Funding care

Families can pay for care in various ways; privately funded when they pay for care directly or through local authority funding or direct payments. The local authority adult social care department will perform a needs assessment that will cover the person’s daily life, support needs, desired outcomes, risks and communication ability.

Jothno Care starts with a free care assessment and we will develop an individual care plan that meets the person’s needs. We are experienced in developing person-centred plans for adults with learning disabilities. We are autism friendly and our carers are trained to handle challenging behaviours.

Our care plans cover personal care, domiciliary care, companionship and community access. We promote the independence and personal development of the people in our care. And we make sure that families feel included in the development of the care plan. Talk to our care team on 020 4548 9300 to discuss your family’s needs.

Supported living vs live in care

The decision between supported living vs live in care should be based on the person’s wishes and their support needs.

Supported living may be a better fit for someone who wants to live in their own home and have greater independence.

Live in care may be a better fit for someone who wants to remain at home but needs substantial and consistent one-to-one assistance.

Our advisors can help you by talking through the options available. Request a care assessment using our simple form. There is no need to be referred by a medical professional.