Supported Living, Care Leavers and Children’s Homes
Week ending Sunday 25 October 2026
There has been a particularly important mix of stories across our sectors this week, including a BBC investigation into poor supported housing, proposals to bring existing properties into specialist use and renewed calls for councils to operate more of their own children’s homes.
The biggest regulatory development is the Government’s consultation on the draft supported housing licensing regulations. This is an important step towards implementing the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 and one that providers, landlords and investors should be paying close attention to.
Supported Living
BBC investigation raises serious concerns about supported housing
A BBC investigation has highlighted concerns about the conditions and management of accommodation occupied by vulnerable people. The reporting raises questions about the protection available to residents and the standards expected of organisations providing supported housing.
It is another reminder of why stronger oversight of the sector is needed, particularly where residents may have limited alternatives or find it difficult to challenge poor conditions.
Former Scarborough guest house proposed for supported housing
Plans have been put forward to convert a former guest house in Scarborough into a supported housing scheme with 24-hour support.
The proposal illustrates how existing commercial accommodation can potentially be repurposed for supported housing, although the suitability of the building, its location and the proposed support arrangements remain important considerations.
Hesley Group invests in new and existing services
The Hesley Group has announced investment in new and existing care services. The organisation provides specialist services for people with complex needs, including learning disabilities and autism.
Investment in existing accommodation is particularly welcome because improving the quality of homes already occupied is every bit as important as creating additional provision.
Bad News Story
BBC reporting highlights why supported housing reform matters
The concerns raised in the BBC investigation are particularly troubling because supported housing is intended to provide stability and security for people who may already have experienced considerable difficulties.
Poor accommodation and inadequate management can undermine the very independence and wellbeing that supported housing is supposed to promote.
Care Leavers
You Passed Me By campaign highlights homelessness
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales has published its You Passed Me By campaign, drawing attention to people experiencing homelessness and encouraging greater recognition of the individuals behind the statistics.
Although this is not specifically a care-leaver housing initiative, its message is relevant to young people leaving care who may face homelessness, housing insecurity or isolation as they move into adulthood.
Swindon councillors debate responsibilities towards children in care
Councillors in Swindon have been discussing motions relating to children in care and care-experienced young people.
The discussions bring attention to the responsibilities local authorities hold as corporate parents, including the importance of continuing support as young people make the transition into adulthood.
Children’s Homes
Children’s home approved following consideration of crime and safeguarding concerns
Planning permission has been granted for a children’s home following consideration of crime and safeguarding risks.
The decision highlights the importance of assessing planning applications on the evidence relating to the particular property and proposed use, rather than relying on general assumptions about children living in residential care.
St Helens MP calls for more council-run children’s homes
St Helens MP David Baines has called for councils to operate more of their own children’s homes.
His comments come amid continuing concerns about the cost and availability of residential placements. More local authority provision could give councils greater control over accommodation and potentially help more children remain closer to their families, schools and communities.
Good News Story
Planning decision recognises the importance of evidence
The approval of a children’s home following consideration of safeguarding and crime concerns is an encouraging example of a proposal being assessed through the planning process.
Children in care need safe, suitable homes within communities. Their care status alone should not be treated as evidence that a proposed home would cause harm to neighbouring residents.
Regulatory and Strategy Watch
Government consults on supported housing licensing regulations
The Government opened a consultation on 15 October on the draft Supported Housing (Licensing) (England) Regulations 2027, setting out how the licensing regime proposed under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 would operate.
The proposals include a locally administered licensing system for supported housing in England, with requirements relating to the suitability of licence holders, accommodation standards, management and enforcement.
Applicants would be subject to a fit and proper person test covering their character, experience, financial position and previous conduct.
Local authorities would also be required to consider relevant information from other licensing authorities and regulators, including the Care Quality Commission and Ofsted. This does not give Ofsted a new role regulating adult supported living, but allows relevant regulatory history to be considered when assessing whether somebody is suitable to hold a supported housing licence.
The proposals also include five-year licences, application and annual fees, inspection powers and financial penalties for breaches.
The consultation closes on 10 December 2026. These are draft regulations and the proposed requirements are not yet in force.
For responsible providers and investors, the significance is considerable. The intention is to strengthen oversight, improve accommodation and support standards, and make it harder for poor-quality operators to exploit vulnerable residents or the Housing Benefit system.
Planning Reality Check
The approval of a children’s home following consideration of crime and safeguarding risks raises an important planning issue.
Children’s home applications frequently attract objections relating to parking, traffic, safeguarding, antisocial behaviour and the effect on neighbouring properties. Some concerns may be legitimate and require careful assessment, but objections must be supported by relevant planning evidence.
A residential property is not automatically suitable for use as a children’s home simply because it has enough bedrooms. The location, layout, access to services, staffing arrangements and needs of the children all matter.
Equally, children should not be denied suitable homes in ordinary communities because of assumptions about their behaviour or circumstances.
As a former town planner, I believe these applications need to be considered carefully and fairly. The objective should be to establish whether the particular property and proposed operation are appropriate, not simply whether neighbours welcome the idea.
Industry Insight
The BBC investigation and the proposed licensing regulations demonstrate why supported housing is facing greater scrutiny.
There are excellent supported housing providers delivering good accommodation and meaningful support, including Intensive Housing Management providers who are not registered social landlords. Quality should be assessed through governance, management, accommodation standards and the support actually delivered, rather than organisational status alone.
The proposed licensing regime is intended to help distinguish responsible operators from those delivering inadequate provision.
For residents, that should mean better protection. For responsible providers and investors, it could help create a more credible and accountable sector.
Investors
The licensing consultation is particularly relevant to landlords, developers and investors considering supported housing.
Long leases and attractive rental figures are often central to how these investments are marketed, but the financial proposition is only one part of the assessment.
Investors also need to understand the provider’s financial position, governance, regulatory responsibilities and ability to sustain the service. The suitability of the property and evidence of local demand are equally important.
A lease does not eliminate operational or regulatory risk, and planning permission does not guarantee that a commissioner or provider needs a particular property.
The proposed regulations make it even more important to understand the sector before committing substantial capital.
Denise’s Take
The BBC investigation is the story that has stayed with me this week.
We spend a lot of time discussing the financial and regulatory aspects of supported housing, but behind every property is somebody who needs a safe and stable home.
Many people entering supported housing have already experienced considerable difficulties, whether through homelessness, mental ill health, domestic abuse, addiction or other circumstances. Their accommodation should provide the security and support they need to move forward, not expose them to further instability.
I welcome stronger oversight of supported housing, provided the regulations are proportionate and do not place unnecessary burdens on the many excellent providers already delivering good services.
The same principle applies to children’s homes and care-leaver accommodation. We need suitable properties, experienced providers and properly funded support, but above all we need to remember who the accommodation is being created for.
People before property.
Work with Lifefix
If you are considering investing in supported living, Intensive Housing Management, care-leaver accommodation or children’s homes, I offer consultations designed to help you understand the opportunities, risks and realities of the sector before making expensive decisions.
Whether you are exploring the sector for the first time, considering a particular opportunity or already have a property or portfolio you would like to discuss, the consultation gives you an independent view of what you are considering.
A national shortage does not mean there is demand for your property. Understanding that difference before you invest can save you many thousands of pounds.
For further information, visit lifefix.co.uk or email denise@lifefix.co.uk.