What Is Supported Living for People with Learning Disabilities?
Supported living is a way of finding support that enables and empowers people with learning disabilities to make decisions and choices and control their lives. Supported living allows people to remain healthy and happy, learn things that are important to them and enjoy various activities that bring them joy and fulfilment.
As a service, supported living for learning disabilities is designed to help people with a range of support needs by focusing on people’s strengths and unique abilities that will allow them to retain independence. People with multiple learning disabilities, Autism and other complex care needs may require some level of support to maximise their independence. Supported living can help with that.
As a way of helping, supported living allows people to choose how they want to live and do everything important to them. Although for some, supported living might be a few hours of support throughout the day, for others, it might be constant support; the goal is the same – be as independent as possible.
At Unique Community Services, we understand the positive impact of supported living services and the value of independence in a person’s own home.
Supported Living Services for People with Autism
Autism affects people in a range of different ways, and although some people require consistent, personalised support, supported living focuses on each person’s ability and unique skills. Through this service, people with Autism can lead fulfilling lives, and often, we can see examples of people achieving incredible things.
A supported living service offers emotional and practical support to create positive outcomes. This can come in the form of guidance or support through the transition into adulthood or simply transitioning from residential care. However, supported living entails a plan for people with Autism, transitioning into a new family home, and supporting every ambition as a step towards further independence.
The support team working in supported living services have the knowledge and experience in behavioural communication and aims to help people with Autism develop their skills and improve communication. The ultimate goal of supported living services for people with Autism would be to help them live safely and comfortably in their own home.
Benefits of Supported Living for Individuals with Learning Disabilities
Having a learning disability doesn’t disallow people to live healthy and active life. But in cases of need, supported living services has many excellent tools that can help people live independently. Some of the benefits can support people with learning disabilities to gain new functions, improve social skills and develop communicational skills as well. Others include:
- Maintain and improve self-acceptance
- Promote socialisation
- Help people express their needs and wishes
- Empower people to achieve their goals
- Improve mental health
- Find creating solutions to perform daily tasks
- Maintain well-being
- Improve physical activity
- Independent personal care
It’s essential to focus on people’s strengths, not the disability itself. Supported living services allow for the creation of holistic plans tailored to the various needs of people and their individual situations.
Empowering Individuals with Learning Disabilities Through Supported Living
Having a place that you call home within the community brings a sense of safety and security. That’s why children and adults with learning disabilities must be able to feel the same and be included in the community as equal and valuable members.
The foundation of supported living services is focused on helping people with learning disabilities own or rent their own homes and have control over the type of support they will receive but also choose who they will live with. Supported living services bring a sense of empowerment so the person supported can choose how and where they want to live their lives.
Within the brilliancy of the idea and principle, supported living accommodation makes a substantial positive impact for people with learning disabilities by giving access to a range of welfare benefits and enjoying all human rights equally. The sole purpose of supported living services is to ensure people’s voices are heard in choosing where and how they want to live.
Promoting Independence and Personal Growth in Supported Living for People with Learning Disabilities
Promoting independence is the goal of supported living services, but getting there takes work. That’s why supported living always focuses on people’s strengths and abilities. However, supported living services also focus on teaching people new skills and about differences in behaviour and the importance of taking action in your life.
Supported living services allow people to engage in various home, community, and work activities. These activities help build structure and routine in day-to-day life, all while focusing that every step along the way is meaningful to people’s individual needs and identity.
Clinicians often help people gain independence, not only in terms of a home. They also focus on teaching financial independence and enabling people to participate in today’s society and be active community members. Their support even helps people find a suitable job and develop a career. Building social skills within supported living homes improves communication and helps develop relationships that ultimately lead to living a life surrounded by people you love and respect.
What We Do and the Importance of Tailored Care in Supported Living Services
Unique Community Services is always here to give a helping hand to families that are looking for different models of supported living. We can help you find the proper support that will enable you or your loved one to take control over their life and remain independent, happy and healthy.
Living with a learning disability doesn’t mean living without a choice. With Unique Community Services, everything we do is driven by you and your needs. We create tailored, complex care plans that evolve with your needs as well as with the improvement of your quality of life. Our outcome-based approach puts the individual at the heart of everything we do, which means we listen, learn and build relationships unique to each person.
To learn more about how we can support you, contact us today!
Assist With Unique Community Services in Supported Living
Being passionate about helping and supporting people with learning disabilities is a trait we value the most in our clinicians. At Unique Community Services, we treat everyone as a family, as everyone deserves to feel respected and valued.
Unique Community Services is also certified as a Great Place to Work and recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Well-being due to our constant efforts to create an inclusive and supportive environment.
If you want to help people live independently and make an impact, join our team!
