Support workers for supported living services
In supported living, people hold their own tenancy, have their own front door and a team who help them live the life they choose. A good support worker helps without taking over, and that shapes who you need on your rota.
We supply and recruit support workers, seniors and team leaders for supported living services, and match them to the people they will support as well as to the shift.
What supported living is and who regulates it
In supported living the housing and the support are kept separate: people have their own tenancy agreement and can choose who provides their care. In England, that separation is why the CQC registers only the personal care in a supported living service, while the housing sits outside its registration.
In Northern Ireland, an agency that supplies workers to support people in their own homes must register with RQIA as a domiciliary care agency, so ask us what we can offer there before you book. The regulator for the service itself in each nation is:
- England
- Care Quality Commission, for personal care.
- Scotland
- Care Inspectorate, usually as a housing support service, often combined with care at home.
- Wales
- Care Inspectorate Wales, as a domiciliary support service.
- Northern Ireland
- RQIA, as a domiciliary care agency.
Supported living cover at a glance
What we usually agree with a supported living service before the first shift.
- Duties
- Support with daily living, personal care where needed, medicines, cooking, budgeting, appointments, activities and keeping the tenancy going.
- Shifts
- Long days, earlies and lates, waking nights and sleep-ins, often one-to-one.
- Checks
- The adults’ criminal record check for the nation, references, positive behaviour support or de-escalation training where the service asks for it, and a driving licence where the person needs a driver.
- Pay basis
- Hourly, with sleep-ins paid as agreed in advance and within minimum wage rules.
- Qualifications
- In England, the Care Certificate standards for new starters and a care qualification for experienced workers. In Scotland, SSSC registration. In Wales, Social Care Wales registration for domiciliary support workers. In Northern Ireland, NISCC registration, which covers supported living.
Roles a supported living service usually needs
Support workers make up most of the team, with seniors or team leaders who plan the rota and guide the shift.
- Support worker Helps people live independently in supported living, and learning disability and mental health services.
- Senior support worker Leads a support team on shift, guides colleagues and keeps support plans current.
- Care assistant Personal care and everyday support in care homes, nursing homes and respite services.
- Housing support worker Helps people keep their tenancy and manage day to day, in supported housing or at home.
- Deputy manager Second in charge of a care service, leading the team when the manager is not there.
- Registered manager Runs a care service and is registered with the regulator as the manager responsible for it.
Checks for supported living staff
For supported living we add these to our standard screening:
- training in the approach your service uses, such as positive behaviour support, and in reducing restrictive practice
- learning disability and autism training, which CQC-registered providers in England must make sure their staff receive
- a driving licence and suitable insurance where the person uses a car and needs a driver
- experience with the communication methods the person uses, such as Makaton or objects of reference, where that matters
Supported living shift patterns
Supported living rotas follow the people who live there. Some people need one worker all day and a sleep-in at night, while others need a few hours of support at set times.
- Early to or
- Late to
- Long day to
- Waking night or to or
- Sleep-in to A worker sleeps at the service and gets up if someone needs help. The service sets the hours and says what happens if the night is disturbed.
Temporary cover and permanent hiring for supported living
Temporary cover
Tell us about the person as well as the shift: their interests, what helps on a difficult day, whether they would rather be supported by a man or a woman, and whether they need a driver. We match on that as well as on checks and experience.
Permanent hiring
For permanent support worker posts we look for people who treat the tenancy as the person’s home. Where it helps, candidates can meet the person they would support before an offer is made, on the person’s terms.
Questions from supported living managers
Can you match a worker to the person as well as the shift?
Yes. Tell us what matters to the person you support and we match on it: shared interests, gender, age, driving, language and experience of similar support.
How are sleep-ins paid?
Sleep-ins are paid as agreed in our terms with the worker and with you. Under GOV.UK guidance the minimum wage applies to time spent awake and working, and to the whole shift if there is nowhere suitable to sleep.
Can a support worker take someone out in their own car?
Only if your policy allows it and the worker’s insurance covers it. Tell us when you book, and we check the worker’s licence and insurance before we offer them.
Support workers for your supported living service
Call to talk about the people you support and the shifts you need, or send the vacancy in writing.