Where a disabled adult can live and spend their days: supported living, Shared Lives, residential and day services

Step by step

1. Understand the main housing options

   There are four common options. Supported living means having your own home (usually your own tenancy) with support to live independently. Shared Lives means living with, or regularly visiting, an approved carer who shares their family home. Residential/nursing care is a care home for people who need more support. Living in the family home with care coming in is also an option. In Northamptonshire, supported living and Shared Lives are both offered by the councils for adults with eligible needs.

2. Understand day service (day opportunities) options

   Separate from where someone lives is how they spend their days. 'Day services' or 'day opportunities' give disabled adults somewhere to go for social, leisure, learning, life-skills and work activities. In Northamptonshire these are run both by the councils (for example the West Northamptonshire Social and Leisure Opportunities day service) and by local charities such as Teamwork Trust (Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough), Spectrum Northants (Northampton) and Fundays (Brixworth).

3. Ask for an adult social care assessment

   Most funded options start with a Care Act 2014 needs assessment. Contact your council's adult social care team: West Northamptonshire Council on 0300 126 7000, or North Northamptonshire Council via its 'Get social care help' pages. You can ask a social care professional to refer you, or make a self-referral. The assessment looks at what support you need and whether you are eligible.

4. Consider Shared Lives if a family setting suits you

   If living with or spending time with a carer's family appeals, ask about Shared Lives. In North Northamptonshire email sharedlives@northnorthants.gov.uk or phone 01536 535685. In West Northamptonshire phone 01604 526129 or email sharedlives@westnorthants.gov.uk (this scheme was rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission in July 2023). Shared Lives can be full-time, respite/short breaks or day support.

5. Consider supported living if you want your own home

   If you want your own place with support, ask adult social care about supported living. In West Northamptonshire the service helps you find suitable housing and provides support to live independently; you can choose to live alone or with others, choose the area, and choose your support provider. It is for adults with autism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities or mental health needs.

6. Choose and visit day services

   Some day services need a social care referral (for example the council-run day service), while several charities (Spectrum Northants, Fundays) take direct enquiries with no referral needed. Contact centres directly to arrange a visit. When comparing, look at the activities offered, staffing and expertise, the ethos, the levels of disability catered for, and the costs.

7. Sort out funding and get independent advice

   Costs are usually met through your social care personal budget after a financial assessment, paid privately, or a mix. For independent help understanding options, the national charity Shared Lives Plus supports people in Shared Lives arrangements, and Mencap provides information on supported living and day services. Ask the council about direct payments if you want to arrange your own support.