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Supported housing and Shared Lives

If you find living alone difficult, but you don't need 24-hour residential care, then supported housing may be right for you if you are between 18 and 55 years old.

Supported housing means you would live in a small area of housing which is managed by dedicated care staff.

Staff would be available to help you during certain times of the day and night (times will vary between sites) and some of our supported housing properties also have personal or community alarms in case you need to call for help urgently.

Most of the time, you would have your own small flat or room to yourself and also be able to use a communal area.

Some supported housing lets you share a family home with other people. We call this Shared Lives.

Depending on your situation, there are lots of different ways we could help you find a new home which gives you the support you need to live a more independent life. Supported housing can sometimes be the first step to getting back into your own home.

More information and useful links

You can find out more about supported housing and how to apply for it through the Kent Adult Social Care website.

Read more on the supported housing page of the KCC website.

The Shared Lives scheme offers long term, short breaks and day support placements in the family homes of approved Shared Lives carers. It is available for people aged 16 and over who meet Kent County Council's eligibility criteria in line with the Care act 2014.

The Shared Lives placement could be for someone living with dementia, a learning disability, autism, a physical disability, mental health issues, an older person with support needs or somebody with a health or sensory disability.

The scheme provides a safe and supportive place to stay at the time that suits you, whether it is for a few hours during the day or evening, overnight, for a  weekend or longer and is an alternative to the more formal types of placement like a residential care home.

You would be sharing the home of a chosen Shared Lives carer - this could be a single person, a couple or a family, You could be part of the family, bring your own things and be supported with hobbies, interests and activities.

Useful links and more information

Find out more about the Shred Lives Scheme in Kent on the KCC website.

Last updated: 23/05/2024