Ownership of your home
In supported living you typically hold your own tenancy, giving you legal rights as a tenant. In a residential care home, you are a resident of the home rather than a tenant, and accommodation and care are provided together by the same organisation.
Independence and daily life
Supported living is designed to maximise independence — you may have your own front door, choose your own routine and have more say over day-to-day life. Residential care typically involves more shared, structured routines.
How care is organised
In supported living, care and support is arranged separately from housing and can be adjusted as needs change. In residential care, care is built into the overall placement.
Funding differences
Residential care costs are usually assessed as a single package covering both accommodation and care. In supported living, housing costs and care costs are assessed and funded separately, which can affect how much you contribute and from where funding comes.
Which is right?
The right setting depends on the level and complexity of need, personal preferences around independence, and the availability of suitable supported living accommodation in your area. A needs assessment can help weigh this up.
Common questions
Can someone move from residential care to supported living?
Yes, with the right assessment and support in place, some people do move between settings as their needs or preferences change.