Croydon · South and south-west London
Supported Living for Croydon Residents
Yes, an adult from Croydon can move into one of our supported living homes, permanently or for a short respite stay, though none of the homes is in Croydon itself. They are in Kingston upon Thames, Whitton and Uxbridge, and Kingston is the closest, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by car from central Croydon. If Croydon Council is funding the support, the placement is agreed through the person's social worker.
How far are your supported living homes from Croydon?
Kingston is linked to Croydon by direct roads and a direct bus. The other two homes are a longer trip.
- Kingston upon Thames: around 30 to 45 minutes by car across Sutton on the A232 and A240. Without a car, allow about an hour, either by tram from East or West Croydon to Wimbledon and then a South Western Railway train to Kingston, or on the SL7 Superloop bus, which runs from West Croydon through Sutton to Kingston.
- Whitton, near Twickenham, lies beyond Kingston and takes longer by any route.
- Uxbridge, at London's western edge, is the furthest from Croydon.
From Thornton Heath or the town centre the tram and SL7 are close by. New Addington adds a tram ride into Croydon first, and from Coulsdon or Purley driving is usually simpler. Think too about who will visit, and whether the person wants to keep a college course, day service or friendships in Croydon.
How does Croydon Council arrange supported living?
Through a Care Act needs assessment. Croydon Council's supported living page says that, to be eligible, a person must be:
- over 18, with care and support needs that are eligible under the Care Act 2014
- diagnosed with a learning disability or autism
- a Croydon resident or registered with a Croydon GP
- eligible for housing benefit
To start, request an adult social care assessment using the council's online form, or call 020 8726 6500 if the form is not practical. Once the assessment is done, the council sends a letter and a financial assessment form. The social worker then helps find suitable supported living, in Croydon or another borough. If one of our homes interests you, name it.
Young people leaving children's services
Croydon has a Transition Social Care team within Adult Social Care. According to the council's transition to adulthood guidance, it starts working alongside the children's social worker from about age 16, and from 18 up to 25 the transition worker becomes the young person's adult social care practitioner. Planning starts at school in Year 9, so raise supported living as the goal from then.
Adults with a learning disability or autism
The NHS Community Learning Disability Team gives specialist health support such as behaviour support and speech and language therapy. The council's Active Lives service helps with skills and the move to independent living, through the same request-for-support form. Funding decisions stay with council social care.
Mental health and memory
Community mental health care in Croydon is run by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Croydon's published criteria centre on learning disability and autism, so if the person's needs are different, ask their care coordinator how a placement would be considered.
Placed out of borough, still Croydon's responsibility. When a council arranges supported living in another area, the Care Act's ordinary residence rules normally keep that council responsible for funding and reviews. Chapter 19 of the Care and Support Statutory Guidance explains this. Ask for it in writing before a move to Kingston, Whitton or Uxbridge.
Who pays for supported living for a Croydon resident?
The support is funded by Croydon Council once eligible needs are confirmed, subject to the financial assessment of the person's income and savings. The rent is separate and is usually claimed as housing benefit, with the landlord helping with the claim. Croydon notes that housing benefit does not cover bills such as heating and electricity. Where someone's needs are primarily health needs, NHS Continuing Healthcare may fund the care. If the person would like to manage a direct payment, Kingston Centre for Independent Living provides Croydon's direct payment support service.
We don't publish prices. We quote after meeting the person and understanding what support they need. Our paying for care guide covers the funding routes in more detail.
The tenancy and the support are separate
Croydon's guidance says the person, or someone on their behalf, signs a tenancy agreement with the landlord, and the social worker and landlord explain it before the move. That tenancy gives housing rights. Care and support are provided under a separate plan by a provider registered with the CQC for personal care. In principle, the support provider can change without the person losing their home.
JNP Sidona is registered with the CQC but has not yet been inspected, so there is no rating to show you. Our homes are described on the supported living page.
What to ask any supported living provider
- Who is the landlord, and what exactly will the person sign?
- Who else lives there, and will we meet them before moving in?
- How is support arranged at night and at weekends?
- Will staff help with trips back to Croydon for family and appointments, and who pays the fares?
- Which GP would the person register with, and how will the Croydon learning disability or mental health team hand over?
- Can we begin with a short respite stay?
Help for Croydon families while you decide
Family carers aged 25 and over can get a carer's assessment through Croydon Council or Carers First, which runs the borough's carers service from 24 George Street, CR0 1PB (0300 303 1555).
What we can help with in Croydon
- 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 Croydon we cover
Care across the borough, including these neighbourhoods. Each has its own page with local detail.
Our services
How we can help in Croydon
From a few visits a week to a carer who lives in, choose the support that fits.
Croydon FAQs
Croydon families ask
Questions families ask us about Croydon. If yours is not here, ask us directly.
Ask a questionMy son is registered with a GP in Croydon but his address is just over the border in Sutton. Does Croydon still count?
Croydon's published criteria include being a Croydon resident or registered with a Croydon GP, but which council is responsible depends on ordinary residence. Raise it at the start of the assessment so the right council takes the lead.
We live in New Addington and don't drive. How would we visit Kingston?
Take the tram from New Addington into central Croydon, then either the tram to Wimbledon and a train to Kingston, or the SL7 bus from West Croydon. Expect well over an hour each way, and talk the visiting pattern through with the social worker before agreeing anything.
My daughter is 16 and has a children's social worker. Who should we talk to about supported living?
Ask her children's social worker to involve Croydon's Transition Social Care team, which works with young people from around 16. You are also welcome to call us to ask questions or visit a home at any stage.
Can someone from Croydon try a short stay before moving?
Yes, our homes take respite stays as well as permanent residents, depending on availability. A short stay also tests whether the journey from Croydon works for the family.
Get started
Looking for care in Croydon?
Tell us what is happening and we will tell you honestly whether we can help, and how.