Prioritizing Supported Living in Care Pathways

Too many individuals with learning disabilities, autism, or complex needs remain in hospital beds, not due to a need for acute medical care, but because there are no suitable alternatives. This leads to delayed discharges, unnecessary admissions, and outcomes that are far from person-centred.

Clare Skidmore from NHS England has been outspoken about this issue, advocating for a focus on “homes not hospitals.” She points out that the lack of appropriate supported housing — homes that are safe, adapted, and supported by care — is a major barrier to timely discharge and preventing institutionalisation.

However, this challenge extends beyond just housing availability. It involves developing supported living services that are compliant, sustainable, and tailored to individuals' real needs. This is where Qualis Solutions plays a crucial role.

Why Supported Living Needs a Bigger Role

Transitioning from hospital care to community living requires more than just good intentions. It demands services that are:

Planned early – anticipating housing and support needs well before a crisis or discharge occurs.
Designed for people – creating environments that are accessible, sensory-appropriate, safe, and empowering.
Inspection-ready – ensuring alignment with the Care Quality Commission’s Single Assessment Framework, particularly in the areas of Safety, Leadership, and Effectiveness.
Sustainable – maintaining financial viability, adequate staffing, and strong governance.

When these elements are in place, supported living becomes an integral part of the care pathway, offering stability, independence, and dignity.

How Qualis Solutions Supports Providers

At Qualis, we understand that creating effective supported living services involves more than just ticking boxes. It’s about embedding quality at every level. With over 50 years of experience in health and social care, we help providers achieve this.

Here’s how we support organisations:

CQC Registration & Service Setup
We assist with new supported living registrations and managerial changes, ensuring services meet regulatory requirements from the outset.
Quality Audits & Inspection Preparation
We conduct mock inspections and quality audits aligned with the CQC’s Quality Statements, helping providers identify gaps and showcase good practice.
Leadership & Mentoring
Strong leadership is the foundation of strong services. We coach Registered Managers and senior teams, building confidence in governance, compliance, and decision-making.
Turnaround Support
For services that have struggled or received poor inspection outcomes, we help rebuild by strengthening systems, reshaping governance, and restoring confidence.
Bid & Tender Writing
Expanding into supported living often requires securing local authority contracts. Our tender writing team helps providers win bids by demonstrating compliance, sustainability, and impact.

What Providers Can Do Today

If you’re planning or running supported living services, consider these practical steps:

Audit your current properties: are they adapted for sensory, mobility, or safety needs?
Review your governance: are responsibilities clear, evidence consistent, and oversight strong?
Map your partnerships: are housing, health, and care colleagues aligned, or working in silos?
Assess your financial model: does it support long-term staffing, adaptations, and growth?
Invest in leadership: are your managers equipped with the mentoring and tools they need?

“Home, not hospital” is more than just a slogan. It’s a call to rethink how we support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Without suitable supported living, individuals remain in institutional care for too long, and providers face unnecessary strain.

By embedding quality systems, planning proactively, and balancing compliance with compassion, providers can deliver supported living that truly works.

At Qualis Solutions, we assist organisations in making this shift — from registration to inspection readiness, from leadership mentoring to tender writing. Together, we can make supported living a cornerstone of the care pathway, not just a fallback option.