Supported Living, Housing with Care, Shared Lives (All Ages 18+)

Supported Living, Housing with Care/Supported Housing, and Shared Lives is one of the six subgroups that Norfolk Care Association runs as a mechanism to work closely with adult social care providers. Each sub-group represents a key segment of adult social care, allowing us to disseminate targeted information, gather focused insights and intelligence, and explore sector needs, challenges, and priorities.

Supported living is typically defined as housing where support and/or care services are provided to help people live as independently as possible. The emphasis is on the individual having their own home, which may be a single household or part of shared accommodation and having a greater level of autonomy over their environment, with care provision delivered separately as required. Supported living generally focuses on working-age adults, often with learning or physical disabilities.

Housing with care or supported housing usually refers to purpose-built or converted groups of homes designed to facilitate the delivery of care to people, either immediately or when they need it in the future. These schemes are known under a wide variety of names, including sheltered housing, assisted living, extra care housing, independent living, retirement homes, and care villages. They are typically focused on supporting older adults (65+).

Shared Lives schemes match someone who needs care with an approved carer. The carer shares the individual’s family and community life and provides care and support in a home setting. Although these schemes typically offer long-term support, they can also provide respite care or short-term assistance, for example when someone is returning home from hospital.

This is distinct from Homeshare schemes, which bring together people with spare rooms and those seeking affordable accommodation who are willing to offer companionship and practical help around the home, but who do not provide regulated care.

The Norfolk Picture

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) register lists, for Norfolk, 22 extra care housing locations, 35 supported living locations, and two Shared Lives providers.

The Norfolk County Council Market Position Statement indicates that just over 1,500 people access its commissioned independent living services, with an annual investment of just under £60 million in these services.

What Can Norfolk Care Association Do?

Norfolk Care Association runs quarterly sector subgroup meetings for supported living, housing with care/supported housing, and Shared Lives providers. We also advocate on behalf of providers, raising issues that affect the sector, and curate relevant information and resources to support best practice.

Subgroup Meetings

Next Meeting: 5th Feb 2026 10:00 am - 11:30 am

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Speakers to be announced.

Our subgroup meetings aim to address specific needs within the social care sector by providing a platform for discussion, professional development, networking, and advocacy by focusing on:

Expertise & knowledge sharing – facilitate targeted discussions and share insights.
Professional development – offer training workshops, seminars and free resources.
Networking opportunities – enable genuine connections among care professionals.
Advocacy & influence – shape policies and practices within the care sector.

As always, all providers are welcome to join, you do not have to have attended a subgroup previously and you are able to join as many subgroups as you feel are relevant to your service.

11th November 2025 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

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