Bexley · South-east London
Supported Living for Bexley Residents
Yes, a Bexley adult can live in one of our supported living homes, permanently or for a respite stay, but none of them is in Bexley. They are in Kingston upon Thames, Whitton and Uxbridge, on the opposite side of London, so the placement has to be agreed with the person's Bexley social worker and the distance weighed honestly. Kingston is the nearest, roughly an hour's drive from Sidcup or Bexleyheath.
Is supported living in Kingston realistic for someone from Bexley?
For some people. Bexley sits on London's south-east edge, facing Kent, and our three homes are all in the west and south-west. There is no quick way across.
- Kingston upon Thames is the nearest. By car it is roughly an hour along the A205 South Circular, longer at peak times. By train allow about 1 hour 30 to 1 hour 45 minutes: Southeastern from Sidcup, Bexleyheath or Welling into London Bridge or Waterloo East, then a South Western Railway train out of Waterloo to Kingston.
- Whitton, near Twickenham, is a little further on the same Waterloo route.
- Uxbridge is the furthest, around two hours from most of Bexley.
From Erith, Belvedere or Slade Green on the North Kent line, add a little more. Before anything is agreed, think about who will visit and how often, and whether the person wants to keep a day service, college place, job or club in Bexley.
How Bexley Council arranges supported living
If the council is to fund support, the route starts with a Care Act needs assessment. In Bexley there are a few ways in, depending on the person's age and who already knows them.
Adults new to Bexley social care
Call the council's Single Point of Contact team on 020 8303 7777 (for something urgent, ask for the Screeners), or complete the online self-assessment. Bexley also has some assessments carried out by OneBexley, a partnership of eight local charities that you can reach through Bexley Voluntary Service Council on 020 4530 6580, so your first conversation may be with a charity worker, not a council social worker. If the form is hard going, any OneBexley charity or council-run library can help with it.
Young people approaching 18
Disabled young people in Bexley are referred to the council's Preparing for Adulthood team, usually from Year 9, through the same Screeners contact. If supported living is the long-term aim, say so at the EHCP annual review and ask for it to be written into the plan.
Adults with a learning disability
Health support for adults with a learning disability comes from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust's Bexley Community Adult Learning Disability Team, part of the NHS. The social care side, including any decision to fund supported living, stays with the council.
Mental health
Community mental health services in Bexley are also run by Oxleas. Supported accommodation for someone with mental health needs is normally discussed with their care coordinator, alongside a council Care Act assessment.
Ask what exists in Bexley too. The council commissions some supported living inside the borough, including schemes for young adults with a learning disability or autism. Ask the social worker to set those alongside options like ours.
Who pays if a Bexley resident moves to one of your homes?
Usually Bexley Council, if it arranged the placement. Under the Care Act's ordinary residence rules, a council that places someone in supported living in another area normally stays responsible for funding and reviews; chapter 19 of the Care and Support Statutory Guidance sets this out. Get it confirmed in writing before the move.
The support itself is funded once the assessment confirms eligible needs, followed by a financial assessment of the person's income and savings. Rent is separate and is often met by Housing Benefit. Where needs are mainly health needs, NHS Continuing Healthcare may pay for the care. We quote only after meeting the person. Our paying for care guide has more.
The tenancy and the support are two different things
In supported living the person has a tenancy or licence for their room or flat, which gives them housing rights. Their care and support come under a separate plan from a provider registered with the CQC for personal care. In principle, someone can change their support provider without losing their home.
How this is set up varies from home to home, so ask us about the one you are considering. JNP Sidona is registered with the CQC but has not yet been inspected, so we have no rating to show you. Each home is described on our supported living page.
Questions worth asking any provider
- What exactly will the person sign, and who is the landlord?
- Who are the other tenants, and is there a say over who moves in?
- How is support arranged overnight?
- Will staff help with trips back to Bexley for family, birthdays and appointments, and who pays the fares?
- Which GP would the person register with, and how will Oxleas or other Bexley health teams hand over?
- Can we start with a short respite stay?
Support for Bexley carers in the meantime
If you look after a relative, you are entitled to a carer's assessment of your own. Carers' Support Bexley (020 8302 8011) carries these out for the council as part of OneBexley, and offers support workers and benefits advice. Mind in Bexley runs a carers' service for people caring for someone with a mental health problem.
What we can help with in Bexley
- Homes in Whitton, Kingston and Uxbridge
- Permanent or respite stays
- Support with daily living skills
- Help to build independence
- Tenancy and care explained clearly
- Community, day centres and outings
- Visit before you decide
- Referrals from social workers welcome
Areas of Bexley we cover
Care across the borough, including these neighbourhoods. Each has its own page with local detail.
Our services
How we can help in Bexley
From a few visits a week to a carer who lives in, choose the support that fits.
Bexley FAQs
Bexley families ask
Questions families ask us about Bexley. If yours is not here, ask us directly.
Ask a questionMy daughter is in Year 10 at a special school in Bexley. Is it too early to talk about supported living?
No. Bexley's Preparing for Adulthood work usually starts from Year 9, so raise it at her next EHCP review. You can also call us at any stage to ask questions or arrange to see a home.
We live in Crayford and don't drive. How would we visit Kingston?
By train from Crayford into London Bridge or Waterloo East, then on from Waterloo to Kingston. Allow the best part of two hours each way. That is a real commitment, and worth talking through honestly with the social worker.
Our first assessment was done by a OneBexley charity. Can they agree a placement with you?
A OneBexley assessor can carry out the Care Act assessment, but if the council is paying, the placement itself is agreed and commissioned by Bexley Council. Make sure a council social worker is involved before anything is settled.
Could my son try one of your homes for a short stay first?
Yes, our homes take respite stays as well as permanent residents, depending on what is available. A short stay is a good way to test whether the distance from Bexley works for him and for you.
Get started
Looking for care in Bexley?
Tell us what is happening and we will tell you honestly whether we can help, and how.