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Directory of supported housing and housing support services in Scotland

Supported housing in Scotland:

Housing support services in Scotland:

Supported housing in Scotland?

Supported housing is accommodation where receipt of housing support services is a condition of residence. Accommodation can be grouped individual self-contained flats, or may be shared housing, with or without shared communal facilities. Support staff may be based on-site or be visiting staff. This type of housing is usually provided for groups of people with similar needs, e.g. older people, homeless people, people with mental health problems or those recovering from alcohol problems. People can live in supported housing for varying lengths of time, dependent on their individual needs and the type of service.

The most common form of 'supported housing' is for older people. There three main types:

Amenity housing: Suitable for active older people; generally including properties designed with older age in mind; linked to a community alrm service to call help in an emergency; and sometimes receiving visits from a mobile 'warden' or housing officer.

Sheltered housing: A daytime scheme manager or 'warden' is generally available throughout the week to provide housing support services and assist residents in the event of an emergency. Community alarm service cover is available when the sheltered housing manager is off duty.

Extra care or very sheltered housing: Is specially designed to meet the needs which some older people may have or develop in later life. Very sheltered developments promote independent living, allowing frail older people to live in their own homes but at the same time providing peace of mind with the knowledge that personal care as well as housing support is available if required.

Housing support services in Scotland?

Housing support services help people to live as independently as possible in the community. Services can either be provided in your own home, or within specific accommodation like sheltered housing or a hostel for homeless people. Housing support services provide a range of different tasks to help someone manage their home, such as assistance to claim welfare benefits, fill-in forms, manage a household budget, keeping safe and secure, getting help from other specialist services, obtain furniture and furnishings, and help with shopping and housework. The type of support that is provided will aim to meet the specific needs of an individual person.

Are housing support services the same as home care?

No, the main difference is that housing support is often support, advice and guidance, whereas home care (or care at home) is more to do with providing personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, eating.

It is however likely that where a person needs both home care and housing support, they may receive both of these from a single organisation. Some organisations however only specialise in one of these two types of services.

Who can get housing support services?

Many people benefit from these services including people who have disabilities, people who have mental health needs, dementia, people who are homeless or have drug and alcohol difficulties and older people.

How do people get housing support services?

The Local Authority is responsible for managing the Supporting People money locally. If people need a service they must be assessed as needing this by the Local Authority. If they are assessed as needing a service the authority will, together with the person needing the service, identify the organisation to provide the service.

If an individual is assessed as requiring a service they may be able to ask for a Direct Payment, and purchase a service themselves. Find more information on direct payments on The House Key website.

Alternatively, people with sufficient income can purchase a variety of services direct from organisations such as home care and support agencies, community alarm services, and private retirment housing.

Who pays for housing support services?

You will either have to pay for them yourself, or if you have a low income you may be able to get help from Supporting People.

There are no charges for services provided by Supporting People that are intended to be provided for a maximum of 2 years, however there is a charge for services that are intended to be "long term" or indefinite. The latter includes sheltered housing for older people, and most support for people with learning disabilities. You local authority Social Work Department will make an assessment of your needs, and it is decided that you would benefit from housing support services, the they will also carry out an assessment of your financial situation, to see if you can afford to pay for all or some of your housing support services.