Supported living services
Supported Living is about helping individuals to live as independently as possible within their own homes. This is 3 Trees' main model of care and best suits our ethos.
What Supported Living looks like with 3 Trees
We support adults with learning disabilities to live independently within their own homes; to pay their bills, manage their money, complete home chores, and purchase essential items. To attend activities, see their family, and meet with their friends. To carry out their daily routines, take their medication, attend any appointments. We support them to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. It is a holistic approach to care.
Our Supported Living services are the most sought after and successful packages of care that we provide. This is due to the trust that is established between ourselves and the people we support, the professional conduct of our staff, and the high quality care that we offer.
Social life
Support people to have contact with their family and friends and network with peers <
Supporting people to access college and/or voluntary/paid work <
Supporting people to use public transport and/or maintain their own vehicle <
Support people to attend leisure activities such as attending clubs, gyms, swimming <
Support people with organising trips and holidays <
3 Trees staff member testimonial:
‘We had so much fun organising and attending Jubilee celebrations with our guys. I’m not sure who enjoyed themselves more! We all ate and drank far too much whilst sitting in the sunshine catching up on gossip. We excelled with the blue, red, and white decorations. I love my job!’
Supporting people to stay healthy
At 3 Trees, we support people in managing their health and well-being by ensuring that they can make an informed choices about their lifestyles.
Some of the practical areas that we support people with are annual health checks, medication management, making and attending health appointments, and liaising with health professionals to ensure a holistic and bespoke approach is adopted for each person’s health and well-being.
3 Trees staff member testimonial:
‘The person I supported continually tried to poke objects into their ears, making them very red and sore. They were experiencing continual ear infections and likely feeling pretty miserable. After several GP visits, which did not resolve the issue, I was adamant that they needed to be referred for further investigation. The issue was subsequently identified and treated successfully with a procedure. They were much happier and clearly no longer suffering. This process made me feel very proud and satisfied that I am part of a team that can really make a difference in people’s lives.”
Home management
- Support with finances and money management,
- Support to remain safe in own homes and manage calculated risks,
- Support to maintain home,
- Developing and maintaining life skills, such as food shopping/preparation.
3 Trees staff member testimonial:
‘It was so exciting to be part of the moving in process for someone that we had been supporting in the community for several years. I will never forget the look on their face as they opened the door and saw the flat decorated in their chosen colours. We worked alongside the person and their family to make this a positive experience for them. They haven’t looked back since moving in to their own home!’
Ensuring my voice is heard!
Everyone deserves to be heard and have their Human Rights adhered to. We at 3 Trees feel passionately that everyone has a right to safely access the communities that they live in without prejudice.
Personal care
3 Trees new staff member testimonial:
‘To be honest with you, I was quite worried by the prospect of delivering personal care when I first joined the company. I soon realised that the people I support with personal care are no different to anybody and want to get on with their day. When I provide support with personal care, I now understand that the person I am supporting must really trust me. I have realised that it makes someone feel really good about themselves which in turn makes me very happy! That to me is why I do the job I do. I consider being a support worker a privilege because I get to make living possible.’
Who are our supported living services suitable for?
Individuals with a learning disability
We provide services for adults with mild, moderate, or significant learning disabilities. This is sometimes associated with complex needs such as physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and neurological disorders including epilepsy.
Autistic individuals with significant support needs
We support autistic people with complex needs to have the opportunity to achieve a great quality of life and live successfully within their local communities.
Our team members receive extensive training to ensure they are responsive to the needs of those we support. We treat everybody as the unique individuals that they are. We deliver care with complete respect and dignity, enabling those we support to lead a fulfilling life, reaching their desired outcomes.
What is the difference between supported living and residential care?
Supported Living is:
Supported living (or supportive living) is a service that helps people with a range of support needs retain their independence whilst offering that extra physical and emotional support whenever it is needed to help them lead fulfilling lives in their own homes. Support living has several benefits, from greater independence to tailored support and care.
Usually, people living in supportive housing have their own tenancy and live in designated housing provided by a specialist organisation but still have full control over all their bills, household chores and other responsibilities that are involved with living in their own home. Support is provided separately to maximise their independence and, if they have particular wishes or needs, to support them in achieving their goals.
Residential care is:
Residential care is for adults living with complex conditions who require 24/7 specialist support to care for their daily needs. Both accommodation and personal care and support are provided, and each person has their own private bedroom and access to shared communal areas such as the living room, dining room and kitchen. This allows residents to have alone time and independence in their rooms, but also the opportunity to enjoy spending time with others.
Common questions about supported living
What is Supported Living?
Supported living (or supportive living) is a service that helps people with a range of support needs retain their independence whilst offering extra physical and emotional support whenever needed to help them lead fulfilling lives in their homes.
Support living has several benefits, from greater autonomy to tailored support and care. Usually, people living in supportive housing have their tenancy and live in designated housing provided by a specialist organisation but still have complete control over all their bills, household chores and other responsibilities involved with living in their own home.
Support is provided separately to maximise their independence and, if they have particular wishes or needs, to support them in achieving their goals.
How much does Supported Living cost?
This cost varies depending on your unique situation- The care needs assessment will determine this.
Depending on each individual’s needs, the average cost of supported living is £180 per week.
What is a care advocate, and how can they help me?
Suppose you do not have an appropriate person to support you and show signs of substantial difficulty engaging in the care act assessment process. In that case, the local authorities must provide you with an independent advocate. The advocate will work alongside you to establish what your wishes are and represent you in the assessment process. They are an independent body that will ensure your rights are adhered to and that you have a voice.
Does CQC cover Supported Living?
Yes How do you transition to Supported Living accommodation?
- Usually, your assigned social worker or care manager will support you in looking at supported living options and providers, but sometimes families will also look for providers themselves.
- First and foremost, ensure budgeting and costs are covered.
- Always communicate with families, carers and service users to ensure everyone is on board to avoid miscommunication.
- A careful risk management assessment and a bespoke support system should allow socially responsible behaviour to increase in the new environment
Why would you choose Supported Living?
If you require someone to come to your home, supported living (or supportive living) is a service that helps people with a range of support needs retain their independence whilst offering extra physical and emotional support whenever needed to help them lead fulfilling lives in their homes. Support living has several benefits, from greater autonomy to tailored support and care.
Am I eligible for Supported Living?
a) The Care Act says, If an adult cannot meet two or more of the outcomes listed below, and if the consequence of being unable to meet them will significantly impact their wellbeing, they are deemed eligible to access care services.
Do you have crucial needs due to a physical or mental condition? Are you unable to achieve two of these goals or outcomes due to your care and support needs?
- Eat correctly
- Maintain your hygiene
- Go to the toilet
- Dress
- Be safe at home
- Daily shopping
- Keep your home clean and safe
- See family and friends
- Go to work
- Volunteer
- Education or train
- Use services in your area
b) How do I receive an assessment?
A care needs assessment is the first step if you require social care. Get in touch with your local council’s adult social services department and ask for a care Act assessment (also known as a needs assessment). Explain to them that you require support managing everyday tasks like accessing your community. They will then carry out a care needs and financial review to assess the support you need to manage your daily tasks and fund your care. There’s no charge for a care assessment, and you are fully entitled to one regardless of your earnings, savings, and requirements. Find your local council.
c) What does the Care Act Assessment entail?
Local authorities’ qualified members will conduct an assessment where they may discuss your circumstances with your family, friends, carer or advocate and how you handle everyday activities. Areas covered could include managing your personal/hygiene care, completing day-to-day activities, overall quality of life, getting out and being part of the community, and your ability to complete household tasks.
d) What happens after the Care Act Assessment?
After the assessment, if you are eligible, a care plan should be agreed upon with you, which will detail your needs and what could aid you in meeting those needs- you should be handed a copy of this. Then there will be a means test to determine how much you require to contribute to your care and support.
If you have eligible needs, your local council has a legal duty to meet them. As part of your assessment, you should receive appropriate advice about meeting your needs.
What is a person-centred approach?
The person-centred approach stems from the theory and ideology of Dr Carl Rogers; It is a non-directive approach that believes in a person’s potential and ability to make the right choices for themself, irrespective of their therapist’s beliefs. When put into practice in health and social care, a person-centred approach means:
- Seeing the person first and not the label. (Labels include service user, dementia, older person, the person with a learning disability, a person with a mental health condition, etc.)
- Delivering a service bespoke to the person that meets their individual and specific needs.
- It encourages people to choose according to their likes and dislikes, needs and wishes.
What services do 3 Trees provide?
The primary services we offer are Supported living and Outreach. Supported living enables individuals to live as independently as possible within their homes. This is 3 Trees’ direct model of care and best suits our ethos. We support adults with learning disabilities to live within their own homes. To enable people to thrive within their communities, care staff can support finances, including bill paying and budgeting, independent living skills, such as managing their own home, completing daily routines, and purchasing essential items. We may also enable people to access the local communities they live within and network with their family and friends, as well as support them in managing their health and wellbeing, including attending appointments and taking their medication.
We have been offering Outreach Services since 1999, and although outreach is currently not our primary model of care, we enjoy delivering these services. They can be a steppingstone into supported living for some service users. Outreach services are when a person who needs the care or the carer for the individual, depending on who receives the direct payments, will be responsible for deciding how the person’s needs are met.
