The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 became law in August 2023. It was introduced to tackle a real problem: in some parts of the country, poor quality supported exempt accommodation was being run with very little oversight, leaving vulnerable residents in unsafe homes with little or no support.
What the Act does
The Act gives government and local councils new tools to raise standards across supported housing in England. In summary, it:
- Creates National Supported Housing Standards. The government can set out the standard of support residents should receive.
- Introduces local licensing. Local housing authorities can be given powers to run licensing schemes for supported exempt accommodation in their area.
- Requires local strategies. Councils must review supported housing in their area and publish a strategy for it.
- Sets up a Supported Housing Advisory Panel. This brings together government, councils, providers and residents to advise on how the system works.
Many of the detailed rules are being brought in through regulations, so the way the Act works in practice will continue to develop.
What this means for residents
For residents, the aim is simple: a safe, decent home and support that actually happens. Good providers should be able to show how support is planned, delivered and reviewed, and how residents are involved in decisions about their own support.
What referrers should look for
When choosing a provider, it is worth asking:
- Who provides the support, and how often does it take place?
- How is each resident's support plan created and reviewed?
- How are homes kept safe and well maintained?
- How does the provider work with local authorities and other agencies?
At Assisted Care, every resident has a dedicated coordinator from day one and a support plan built around their goals. If you would like to talk through how we work, please get in touch.