Independent Living Service
For customers who want a little more support, while still living independently
Our Independent Living Service offers you help and support in a setting where you can be free to live as independently as you choose.
At Homes in Sedgemoor we offer accommodation in sheltered housing, with communal hubs, and any additional support should you require.
The ILS offers different levels of care through a Bronze, Silver and Gold service system. The service can help to ensure customers sustain their tenancies, are happier within their homes, and have overall better help thanks to support, advice, and guidance from professional assistance. The right level of support for you will be discussed between you and the Independent Living Team through a needs assessment and a tenancy sustainment plan. This will continue to be monitored throughout your tenancy.
Starting at £11 per week, our packages can assist you or a loved one with financial, physical and practical aspects of living.
To be eligible you must be aged 55+ with a qualifying housing-related support need. Those aged between 55-65 years of age must be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments.
Please note, that the Independent Living Service does not provide domiciliary or nursing care. If you or a loved one needs more support than our Independent Living Service can provide, our Extra Care Housing may be more suitable.
Meet the team
Independent Living Service Team Leaders
Our Independent Living Service Officers
Handyperson
A handyperson service is also included.
Which level of support?
Independent Living is available at 43 locations across Sedgemoor, Somerset.
Your new home could be a flat, bungalow or specially adapted house, which you can decorate and furnish to your taste.
You will have access to a team of staff who provide tenancy sustainment, and, for small service charge, you also have the support from the Independent Living Team plus the reassurance of a 24/7 alarm system in the event of an emergency.
The Independent Living Team will help you:
Bronze support package
You will receive a basic tenancy sustainability call or visit once a month from an Independent Living Advisor.
Low-level support with:
- Discussing tenancy sustainability
- Assistance with financial concerns
- Support with concerns around health and safety, maintenance and safeguarding
- Ensuring disability facilities are met
- Provision with sustaining your housing by ensuring that help with rent and eligible housing benefits are being accessed
- Use of the communal hubs – benefit from a communal lounge at your own scheme/scheme near by allowing you the ability to socialise, building neighbourly relations and a support network
- Access to activities and schemes, including Flexicise
Silver support package
You will receive a medium support home visit from an Independent Living Support Officer.
Medium-level support with:
- All Bronze support package benefits
- Additional housing management relating to rents, liaison with tenants and outside agencies
- Support with sustaining your housing by ensuring that help with rent and all eligible benefits are being accessed, maximising your income
- Increased liaison with other agencies, including health and social care, to assist at times of crisis
- Support improving independence, as well as physical and mental health
- Support with risk and falls prevention
- Basic household tasks such as dealing with correspondence and arranging essential appointments
- Help to plan meals and organise essential shopping
- Liaise with GP and pharmacy to ensure all medication is available
- Support maintaining social contact and participating actively in society
Gold support package
You will receive a high-support home visit from an Independent Living Support Officer.
High-level support with:
- All Bronze and Silver support package benefits
- Additional time and support sustaining your housing by ensuring that help with rent and all eligible benefits are being accessed, maximising your income
- Additional time and support improving independence, as well as physical and mental health
- Additional time and support planning meals and organise essential shopping
- Additional time and support liaising with GP and pharmacy to ensure all medication is available
- Additional time and support maintaining social contact and participating actively in society
- Long-term liaison with other agencies, including health and social care, to assist at times of crisis
- Extra support with household tasks such as dealing with correspondence, arranging essential appointments, reading letters, writing letters and help with contacting relatives
