Funding and referrals for supported living
Learn how our supported living services are funded, and how you can access support.
At Priory, we understand that everyone’s journey towards independent living is unique. Our supported living services help people across the UK to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Whether you’re a potential tenant, family member or a referrer, this page will guide you through the various aspects of funding for Priory’s supported living services.
Payment options for supported living
You can fund a supported living service in a number of different ways. We offer a range of payment options to ensure that people receive the necessary support, tailored to their needs.
These include local authority funding, joint funding, NHS funding, personal budget and direct payments.
Local authority funding
Local authority funding is one method for financing our supported living services. This is when the local authority (usually the local council) assesses the person’s needs.
After the assessment, they will agree an amount to fully fund their support. As part of a supported living package, this type of funding includes accommodation and personalised assistance.
Joint funding
Where someone has a continuing healthcare (CHC) assessment, the local authority and the NHS can jointly fund their support. The person will undergo an assessment of their support and healthcare needs. This helps the two authorities agree on a funding package.
Here, the local authority element of the funding will cover accommodation and support. The NHS element will cover the person’s ongoing healthcare and personal care needs.
NHS funding
Some people might qualify for full funding through the NHS, depending on their specific health needs. This includes people who are leaving hospital, who may be eligible for Section 117 aftercare. The person will undergo assessment, and the NHS will agree a package of support to meet their needs. The funding will cover both accommodation and the support package.
Individual/personal budget
Local authorities may allocate a specific amount of money to someone for their support needs. The local authority will decide on an amount, after assessing the person's needs and means. They will create a support plan that outlines how to spend the budget. People can let the local authority choose services for them, or they can control the budget themselves.
Direct payments
This provides someone with the flexibility to receive a sum directly from the local authority. This means they can decide how to allocate the funds for their support.
Choosing a direct payment gives people maximum choice with their support package. However, this does mean they have to manage the money themselves.
How much does supporting living cost?
The cost of supported living in the UK varies depending on each person’s unique needs. Fees are individualised, based on a thorough assessment of each person's needs. This will include the number of hours of support the person requires.
In some cases, multiple people within a supported living service can share a staff team. In this situation, the person would only pay for their share of staff time.
How to access supported living
At Priory, we’re committed to helping the people we support and their families navigate the financial aspects of supported living.
Our goal is to ensure that everyone has access to the care and support they need to live their lives to the fullest. That's why we've created a step-by-step guide to help you access our supported living services:
1. Get in touch
This can happen in two different ways:
- Referral to Priory
Referrals usually come from a person’s social services department management team or their local health authority. Authorities will assess the person’s eligibility to ensure they meet the criteria for supported living services.
- Direct contact
If a person intends to fund their supported living through direct payments, they (or an appropriate adult acting on their behalf), can contact Priory directly to discuss their needs. They don’t need a referral to do this.
2. Meet us face-to-face
We'll arrange to meet the person face-to-face, so we can get to know them a bit better. We'll ask them about what they want to achieve from a supported living placement, as well as their current situation and health needs.
3. View our homes
The person will be invited to come and look around some of our supported living homes to get a feel for what we can offer and our living environments. They can bring family with them and ask as many questions as they'd like.
4. Finalise funding
We'll liaise directly with the person's local authority to confirm funding arrangements and the proposed support package. The person will be kept in the loop throughout.
5. Move in
When the funding has been agreed and finalised, we’ll liaise with the person and their family to arrange a move-in date. We will ensure that the process is as smooth and straightforward as possible and will be on-hand at all times to support everyone involved.
Contact us for help, referrals or more information
If you have any questions or need further information about funding, referrals or our supported living services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.