Do I need to have a property to register with the CQC to provide supported living services?

Answered by Ed Watkinson

If you are providing a supported living service, then this will be delivered to a specific address where people requiring the service are residing. The important issue with regard to supported living is that the individuals receiving supported living services should have their own property and if they are paying rent it should be being paid to a separate organisation than the one delivering the care. If you own the property and deliver the care, it is classed as a care home. In supported living, the property is normally provided by a housing association or other organisation. In practical terms, you should not have a property that you provide the care to in supported living, but you could be commissioned to provide the care separately.

The CQC will look very closely at the separation between care and accommodation, and if they believe that one organisation is providing both then they will require you to register as a care home.

Another thing to consider is that you only need to register if you’re providing a regulated activity, and this is normally personal care. I would advise looking at the CQC website for more information on regulated activities and the need to register.