Your home, housing and support

Having more say in your life

This guide is for people in England. Independence can include getting the support you choose.

It’s my home, not your workplace

This is your home, even when staff work there. Support should respect your choices and privacy.

Who I want to live with

Have a say about your home, housemates, privacy and support.

Choosing who provides your support

Choose support, question a new provider and ask for suitable alternatives.

What people write about me

Staff may write notes about the support they give you. You can ask what they write and who can read it.

Having a pet

Plan a pet’s care, costs and the support you need.

Assistance dogs and companion dogs

Dog support, everyday care and access to places you want to go.

Caring for the environment and wildlife

Recycle, help wildlife and enjoy nature in ways that work for you.

Moving to a new home

Plan costs, packing, essential support and address changes while keeping your choices central.

Choosing your home

This guide is for adults in England. You can get support to think about where you want to live.

Getting support in your own home

You can ask for help to live in your own home. This guide is for adults in England.

If you disagree with a care-home move

You can say if you do not want to move. Your wishes about your home matter.

Moving home to another council area

This guide is for adults getting council care. It is about moving between council areas in England.

Moving from your family home

This guide is about planning a move in England. You can get help to explore your choices.

If you may lose your home

Ask for help before you lose your home, or when you have nowhere safe to stay.

Applying for a council or housing-association home

Apply for social housing and ask for your disability and support needs to be considered.

Restrictions at home or in supported living

This guide is for adults in England. You can ask for help to question restrictions on your freedom.

My home and agency safety checks

Your home, agency safety checks, PAT testing and fridge temperatures.

Employing your own assistant

Plan how to employ someone to support your daily life.

Writing the job for my support staff

Write the job, choose essential skills and plan fair recruitment.

Getting help to pay my support staff

Agree payroll tasks, costs, payments, privacy and responsibilities.

Using a support agency

Compare agencies, agree visits and costs, and keep your say over support at home.

Mental health & feelings

Hoarding and support at home

Understand hoarding, find compassionate support and agree steps towards a safer, more usable home.

Safety & safeguarding

When someone takes over your home

Your home should be a place where you feel safe. You can ask someone you trust to read with you.

Housing agreements and money

Benefits & money

Help with bills and power cuts

You can ask for help with energy and water services. You can also ask about help with bills.

Help with your home and money

This guide is about help in England. What you can get depends on your situation.

Your home and your support in supported living

In supported living, your home and your care should have separate agreements. You can ask to change support without moving home.

Buying a home when you get benefits

This guide is about England. Some people who get benefits can buy a home.

Your rights when renting a home

This guide is about homes in England. The rules depend on your housing agreement.

Benefits & money

Money or a home left to you

This guide is about rules in England. Get advice about your own money and benefits.

Money & benefits

Getting help with debt and urgent bills

Find free debt advice, deal with urgent letters and ask for support you can understand.

Money & benefits

Free or low-cost furniture and repair help

Find charity furniture, Freecycle, Olio and community repair groups, and check costs and collection.

Taking your complaint to an ombudsman

An ombudsman is an independent complaints service. It can look at some complaints that remain unresolved.

Paying for a care home

Check care-home bills and funding before agreeing to pay or move.

Equipment and planning ahead

Health

Keeping warm safely

Stay warm safely and get help with dangerous cold or a cold home.

Health

Keeping cool in hot weather

Keep cool, follow your support plan and recognise a heat emergency.

Help with equipment and your home

This guide is for children and adults in England. An occupational therapist helps with everyday activities.

Help to arrange your support

Find help to arrange support while keeping your choices.

Carers & future planning

Planning your future support

This guide is for adults and their supporters in England. Planning ahead can help when support changes.

Health

Getting a wheelchair assessment

This guide is for people in England. A wheelchair might help you move around.

Looking after your home

Storing my food safely

Fridges, freezers, food dates, leftovers and safe storage at home.

Finding and hiring a cleaner

Choose cleaning help, agree tasks and costs, protect your privacy and check whether you will have employer responsibilities.

Recycling at home

Check local recycling rules, make sorting easier and keep hazardous items out of ordinary bins.

Getting your bins collected

Find your collection arrangements, ask for help moving bins and deal with missed or unsuitable collections.

Hiring tradespeople for home repairs

Choose a tradesperson, compare written quotes and agree accessible arrangements, payments and protections for work at home.