Last updated: 4 March 2024
Next review: 1 March 2025
Supported Living
Market Context
The London Borough of Waltham Forest’s vision for Supported Living services is for people to live as independently as possible, in the context of their needs, potential and aspirations, and in quality accommodation in their local community. We want people to be supported to reach their goals through enabling support that facilitates living as regular a life as possible.
Supported living is one component within a spectrum of community-centred care and assistance accessible to individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or mental health support requirements. The level of support offered can fluctuate based on the specific needs of each person, covering from a few hours per week to continuous, round-the-clock assistance. We have established a framework of providers who can deliver high quality personalised Supported Living services, supporting an individual’s journey towards greater choice, control, and independence. This includes supporting people via progression, recovery, and enablement approaches to reduce their support needs over time.
From time to time, where care cannot be sourced from the framework providers, a spot purchase contractual arrangement is used.
Current Market Status
Supported Living services are currently purchased via a framework; the framework is split into 4 lots which are needs based. Providers appointed to the Framework Agreement are expected to uphold the core values of personalisation, supporting independence, move on, choice, control, social inclusion, prevention, and early intervention.
DESCRIPTION OF LOTS
| Lot 1 | Supported Living services for people who have a Learning Disability, and/or Autism, and/or Mental Health and/or Physical/Sensory Disability who need lower-level support with aspects of daily living. |
| Lot 2 | Supported Living Services for people who have a Learning Disability, and/or Autism, and/or Mental Health and/or Physical/Sensory Disability who need higher level support with most aspects of daily living. |
| Lot 3 | Supported Living for people with complex needs who require support with all aspects of daily living.
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| Lot 4 | The provision of specified building/s and/or accommodation with care and support. |
There are currently 50 Lot 1 providers, 48 Lot 2 Providers, 37 Lot 3 providers and 21 Lot 4 providers on the framework.
Market data and insight
The following spend data is correct as November 2023. The amount of money spent may be subject to fluctuations over time in line with variations in demand and external factors including the ongoing impact of the pandemic and associated restrictions.
| LBWF Supported Living Market | |
| Total Spend | £22,784,051 |
| Number of schemes – Framework | 57 |
| Number of schemes – Spot | 63 |
| Number of units – Spot | 39 |
| Number of adults supported | 443 |
| Average Core Cost Rate per hour (Framework) | £20.55 |
| Average 1:1 Cost Rate per hour (Framework) | £20.63 |
| Supported Living | Age Range | Average Weekly Fee |
| Physical Support | 18 to 64 | £713.00 |
| Physical Support | 65+ | £431.00 |
| Learning Disability | 18 to 64 | £1,022.00 |
| Learning Disability | 65+ | £611.00 |
| Mental Health | 18 to 64 | £559.00 |
| Mental Health | 65+ | £446.00 |
| Memory with Cognition and Sensory Support | 18 to 64 | £524.00 |
The information shown in the table(s) above is correct as of November 2023.
Distance from Vision
Supported living properties in Waltham Forest vary enormously in structure, with the portfolio including shared homes for between 2 and 5 people, complexes of flats and several single person schemes. The homes are owned by a range of registered landlords and council properties. Current provision meets a wide variety of needs, with schemes providing a mixture of 24-hour support, on-site staffing during the day, and visiting support services.
We have a range of Supported Living schemes in the borough; however, demand exceeds supply, which results in some residents having to move outside of the borough. Supply of properties to meet the needs of LD residents with more complex needs is a particular area of challenge. The Council is committed to better understanding this demand, both now and in the future, to determine future commissioning intentions.
Market Risks
Availability of services to meet greater complexity is an issue. Difficulties are routinely reported by the LBWF brokerage team and Social Workers around the sourcing of the right home for higher levels of need within LBWF. 27% of Waltham Forest service users in Supported Living are accommodated outside of the borough. This may be due to needs that can’t be sourced within the borough.
Workforce is another key factor, with continuous difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff in the face of competition from other market sectors over terms and conditions.
The majority of spend is outside of contract frameworks for both working and non-working aged adults. This presents a situation whereby costs are inflated as discrete contracts outside of commissioning contracts, are individually negotiated and usually higher. The data demonstrates that most placements are not within current commissioning arrangements/standards and therefore are likely to be higher cost.
Current Areas of Focus
The present framework is set to expire on April 30, 2025, prompting the Council to actively explore and plan the future direction of travel for this service. While the existing model can be deemed adequate for its intended use, further improvements and enhancements are necessary. The council intends to commission providers capable of supporting residents with elevated levels of need. Additionally, there is a plan to recommission the market, with the goal of minimising the necessity to commission contracts outside of the established framework.
The council will be looking into innovative ways to help build a sustainable market and support the market to recruit and retain staff by exploring options such as apprenticeships and supported internships. The council will also be encouraging the market to pay London Living Wage.
In the next year, the Council will conduct a review of its provisions to ensure that services meet local need. This project will include a needs analysis that will seek to project demand for these services. The council will
We have recently funded Care Provider’s Voice who offer a job broker scheme for care providers as well as opportunities to share training opportunities and help us to engage with providers within and outside of the borough.
Commissioning Intentions
As the current contract is due to end in April 2025, the council will be looking to do the following:
- Create Strategic partnerships – Providers work with the council and other providers as strategic partners to achieve the aims and aspirations as set out in the specification.
- Build Community assets – Based on the individual goals, interests and aspirations of Supported Living residents, providers will pursue strategic local relationships to develop a menu of day activity and support opportunities in the community and help local organisations to make reasonable adjustments so that people with learning disabilities can access what is available.
- Supporting residents into employment is a priority for the Council and this is championed across Adult Social Care.
- Commissioning and service leads to engage with residents, service users and current/prospective providers to modernise and future-proof provision.
- Work also continues to ensure residents have true choice and control.