Islington · Central London
Supported Living for Adults from Islington
We have no supported living home in Islington. Our three homes are in Uxbridge, Whitton and Kingston upon Thames, and an Islington adult can live in one permanently or come for a respite stay once their Islington social worker agrees the placement. From Farringdon or King's Cross, Uxbridge is one Metropolitan line train away, roughly an hour door to door.
Where an Islington referral for supported living starts
Which Islington team you go through depends on the person's main need and their age.
Adults with a learning disability: ILDP
The Islington Learning Disabilities Partnership (ILDP) is the borough's specialist learning disability team, and supported living for adults with a learning disability is arranged through it. ILDP works with adults who have a diagnosis of global learning disability, which includes onset before the age of 18. Its duty line is 020 7527 6600 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm), and referrals go by email to duty.ildp@islington.gov.uk using the forms listed on the NHS directory entry for ILDP.
Young people aged 17 to 24: Progression to Adulthood
For a young person leaving children's services, ILDP has a separate Progression to Adulthood transitions referral and pre-screening form for 17 to 24 year olds. It is used to work out whether the young person has a learning disability, or another diagnosis such as autism or a physical or sensory disability, that makes them eligible for adult care. If your son or daughter is 16 or 17, ask at their EHCP review whether that referral has been made.
Mental health
Adults with mental health needs are supported by the Islington community mental health core teams run by North London NHS Foundation Trust. Supported accommodation is reached through the person's care coordinator working with adult social care, so start the conversation there.
Everyone else
Adults who aren't known to either team start with Islington Adult Social Care through its Integrated Health and Care Front Door (still often called the Access Service) on 020 7527 2299, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or through the council's online needs assessment request.
Placed in Uxbridge, still an Islington resident for care purposes. When a council arranges supported living in another area, the person usually stays the responsibility of the council that placed them, under section 39 of the Care Act. Chapter 19 of the Care and Support Statutory Guidance sets this out.
From Islington to our homes
None of our homes is near Islington, and families should know the travel before they agree to anything. Rough times from the middle of the borough:
- Uxbridge, 60 to 75 minutes. Uxbridge-bound Metropolitan line trains run without a change from Farringdon and King's Cross St Pancras, about 50 to 55 minutes on the train. From Caledonian Road, Holloway Road or Arsenal, Piccadilly line trains to Uxbridge are an alternative, though slower.
- Whitton, 70 to 80 minutes. Take the Overground Mildmay line from Highbury & Islington or Caledonian Road & Barnsbury all the way to Richmond, then a short train or bus to Whitton.
- Kingston upon Thames, 70 to 80 minutes, by Tube to Waterloo and then a South Western Railway train.
By car, all three are usually 60 to 90 minutes from N1 or N7, depending on traffic.
How much does supported living cost for an Islington resident?
Two separate bills are involved. The care and support are funded by Islington Council once a needs assessment has found eligible needs, and the council then carries out a financial assessment to see whether the person pays anything towards it. Islington has an online cost of care calculator that gives an early estimate of that contribution. The rent is separate and is often covered by Housing Benefit. Where someone's needs are mainly health needs, the NHS may fund the care through Continuing Healthcare.
We don't publish prices. We quote after assessing the person, and our guide to paying for care explains the means test in more detail.
A home and a care service are two agreements
In supported living the person has a tenancy or licence with a landlord, which gives them rights as a tenant. Their personal care is provided separately under a support plan, by a provider registered with the CQC. Because the two are separate, in principle the person can change who supports them without losing their home.
The detail differs from scheme to scheme, so ask us how it works at whichever home you're looking at. JNP Sidona is registered with the CQC for personal care and has not yet been inspected, so it has no rating. The homes themselves are described on our supported living page.
Before agreeing to a placement outside Islington
Moving from Holloway or Finsbury to west or south-west London means leaving a GP, a day service and a neighbourhood the person knows. Questions worth putting to any provider, and to the social worker:
- Who is the landlord, and what kind of tenancy or licence will the person sign?
- Who else lives there, and how are new housemates chosen?
- How is support covered at night?
- Will the person need to register with a new GP, and how will any hospital follow-up at the Whittington or UCLH carry on?
- How will they keep seeing family and friends in Islington, and who helps with the journey at first?
- Can we start with a respite stay to see how it feels?
What we can help with in Islington
- 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 Islington we cover
Care across the borough, including these neighbourhoods. Each has its own page with local detail.
Our services
How we can help in Islington
From a few visits a week to a carer who lives in, choose the support that fits.
Islington FAQs
Questions from Islington families
Questions families ask us about Islington. If yours is not here, ask us directly.
Ask a questionDoes the referral have to come from ILDP, or can we call you first?
Call us first if you like, to ask questions or arrange to see a home. If Islington is going to fund the placement, though, the council has to agree it, so bring in the ILDP worker, care coordinator or social worker early.
My son is 19 and was never referred to ILDP. Is it too late?
No. ILDP's Progression to Adulthood form covers young people up to 24. If he isn't known to adult services at all, you can also ask for a needs assessment through the Front Door on 020 7527 2299.
Is there supported living inside Islington?
Yes, other providers run supported living schemes in the borough, and they too take referrals through ILDP. Ask ILDP what is available locally alongside looking at our homes, so the choice is a real one.
Can an Islington resident stay for a short break without moving permanently?
Yes. All three homes take respite stays as well as permanent placements, depending on what we have available. See our respite care page, and call us to check dates.
Could direct payments be used for supported living?
Islington offers direct payments after a needs assessment, and they can be used to buy support from a registered provider. Whether that suits a supported living placement is something to agree with the social worker and the council's Direct Payments team (020 7527 8164).
Get started
Looking for care in Islington?
Tell us what is happening and we will tell you honestly whether we can help, and how.