We want to support people to stay well, safe and independent in their own homes. However, there may come a point when staying at home is no longer the best option. Moving home can be a difficult decision for anyone, but can be particularly difficult if the reason for moving is that you now need care or support.
Thinking about your housing needs in advance can give you time to understand the options available and help you make plans before things reach crisis point.
Explore the sections below to find out about the different accommodation options and where you can get support.
Supported living
Supported living enables people with care and support needs to live independently. It is usually self-contained flats where staff support tenants with day to day living. This could be from a few hours to 24 hours a day.
Supported accommodation is available for people living in Enfield who have a range of care and support needs, including:
- physical and learning disabilities
- mental health needs
- young people leaving care and those setting up home for the first time
- people with alcohol and substance misuse problems
- people fleeing domestic violence
- homeless people in temporary accommodation
- people who need support to live independently
Sheltered housing
What is sheltered housing?
Sheltered housing means having your own flat or bungalow in a block, or a small estate, where all the other residents are older people (usually over 55). With a few exceptions, all development (or ‘schemes’) provide independent, self-contained homes with their own front doors. Properties in most schemes are designed to make life a little easier for older people and will have a scheme manager and may also have a 24 hour community alarm system.
In Enfield we offer sheltered housing for people over 60 or with disabilities, to help them live independently. You may also qualify if you’re over 55 and have a proven need to live in sheltered housing.
When you are assessed for sheltered housing, we will ask about your support needs. Once you have been offered accommodation, we will assist you to address your identified support needs and will be able to offer you the support you require.
For information about sheltered housing, visit our sheltered housing page.
Extra care housing
What is extra care housing?
Extra care housing is similar to sheltered housing in that the accommodation usually consists of individual, self-contained flats, each with its own front door.
In Enfield we offer sheltered housing for people over 60 or with disabilities, to help them live independently. You may also qualify if you’re over 55 and have a proven need to live in sheltered housing.
The difference is that the level of personal care available in extra care housing is much higher and can be arranged according to individual needs. Care can include things like domestic support, help with meals, as well as opportunities for a range of social and leisure activities.
Extra care can be a good option if you need the security of having care staff on site 24 hours a day but do not want to lose the independence of living in your own home. For more information, visit Elderly Accommodation Counsel - a national charity with a mission to help older people make informed choices about meeting their housing and care needs.
For your care to be funded, it needs to be assessed and agreed by Adult Social Care. Where care and support charges apply, these will be made separate to charges for rent and utilities. We will complete a financial assessment to work out how much you will need to contribute.
If you want to consider supported, sheltered or extra care accommodation options, speak to your care manager or social worker.
See more information on extra care schemes in Enfield provided by the Council and its partners – including Reardon Court, a new build, modern facility which is set to open in the late spring of 2024.
Enfield Shared Lives Scheme (Sharing a home)
The Shared Lives Scheme offers an alternative to traditional kinds of care, such as a care home or supported living for people over 18. Shared Lives Carers use their own home to support a wide range of people which may include those with mental ill health, a learning disability, older people and young people in transition. Shared Lives offers the chance to contribute to real friendships and to become active, valued citizens with a sense of belonging to a family and community.
For more information,see our Enfield Shared Lives Scheme page.
You can contact the Enfield Shared Lives Scheme directly (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) on:
Telephone: 020 8379 5337
Email: enfield.sharedlives@enfield.gov.uk
Shared Lives Scheme
Enfield Highway Carnegie Building
258a Hertford
Enfield
EN3 5BN
Homeshare Scheme
Homeshare enables two unrelated people to share a home for mutual benefit. The homesharer benefits from low cost accommodation, while the householder receives companionship and practical help in and around their home.
Benefits:
Help people who need support such as older people, stay in their own homes for longer
Provides affordable accommodation for younger people or key workers, as a time of record housing shortages and high rent.
To find out more about Homesharing Scheme visit Age Uk or Homeshare UK
Short stay accommodation, respite or rehabilitation
Short stay accommodation provides temporary accommodation for vulnerable adults who need support or care.
Respite accommodation
Respite care lets you and your carer take an essential break, either for a few hours, overnight or several days. The care service is provided directly to the person that is cared for. Respite care is not a holiday or to cover a time when you are not available because of personal reasons.
Respite care can be given in the home of the person you care for, alternative housing, or a residential or nursing care home.
Rehabilitation accommodation
Sometimes after illness or injury, people need help to recover so they can manage at home. Short-term services in care homes, which involve active programmes of rehabilitation, help people to regain independence. Rehabilitation rebuilds skills and confidence in everyday activities, teaches new skills to manage at home, and keeps you out of hospital, or permanent residential care, unless that is the right choice.
Residential and nursing care homes
A temporary stay at a residential home can help you to recover after an illness or a stay in hospital. They provide support if you are newly disabled, or a break for you and your carer. It is also a good opportunity to get to know a home that suits if you're thinking about permanent care.
You should make sure that the care home has facilities and staff with relevant experience for your particular needs. You can search for care homes in Enfield on the Care Quality Commission Care Homes Directory or by visiting Elderly Accommodation Counsel.
Care homes
There are many types of care homes in Enfield that provide for different needs. Some care homes offer short-term places, for people recovering from a hospital stay or to give someone a break (Respite)from their caring role.
To read more information, see our Care Home page.