Radical review of supported housing is needed

Inspectors have called for a “radical review” of supported housing for people with learning disabilities, as there are growing concerns as to whether current models of support, particularly single person tenancies with one-to-one support, are sustainable.

A report published today by the Commission for Social Care Inspection says that some Supporting People-funded services for people with learning difficulties “have not made the cultural leap from residential care to supported housing, and there is still too weak a focus on people as tenants”.

There is also “more to do to ensure there is a stronger focus on rehabilitation” for people with mental health problems living in supported housing. And the report reveals that some people with mental health problems are placed in accommodation for homeless people, presenting a risk “that the specific mental health needs of service users can get lost”.

Supporting People – promoting independence from www.csci.org.uk