Physically and mentally disabled people – supported living

I’m writing to you under the freedom of Information Act to request the following information.

Could you please provide me with:

1) The number of physically and mentally disabled people housed in supported living,

In Devon County Council, Supported Living is defined as where the Council has agreed a contract for a specified number of shared hours in a specifically named building, and where the people receiving this care and support have been assessed as in need of Social Care. Under this definition Devon County Council currently has 421 supported living placements – however, placements are ending and new ones commencing on a regular basis, which means this figure changes from month to month. Therefore, we do not hold this information

2) The number registered as waiting for housing in supported living,

In Devon, the waiting list for housing and the waiting list for supported living are two separated things, held by separate organisations. Devon County Council is not a Housing Authority – and housing waiting lists are held by each the 8 Devon Housing Authorities.  This information will be held by district, city or unitary councils and their contact details can be found on our website at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/neighbouring-authorities/

In Devon County Council, Supported Living is defined as where the Council has agreed a contract for a specified number of shared hours in a specifically named building, and where the people receiving this care and support have been assessed as in need of Social Care. Whilst there may be Individual Social Workers who become personally aware of individual social care clients who are seeking a Supported Living placement, clients waiting for placements is not information that Devon County Council currently collects, collates or holds.

3) The expectation of demand for housing in supported living (i.e juveniles turning 18 over the next 2 years)

Devon County Council do not hold this information.

3) The trend in the first two from 2014 – current.

There is no legal or nationally agreed definition of Supported Living, and outside of Devon definitions continue to mean different things to different commissioners and stakeholders. Prior to 2016 there was not any agreed definition of Supported Living within Devon. Trend data in relation to Devon’s current definition is therefore not something the Council has collected, collated or holds.  Therefore, we do not hold this information