For registered providers, landlords and supported housing teams
A care provider who understands that the tenancy is not ours
In supported living the housing and the support are legally separate, and they should stay that way. This page sets out how we work alongside a landlord, what we take responsibility for, and where the line sits.
Referrals line: REFERRALS PHONE · Referrals inbox: REFERRALS EMAIL
This page is for you if
You own or manage supported housing and you are looking for a care and support provider to work alongside you, or you have a void you are trying to fill with the right person rather than the fastest one.
The separation between housing and support is the whole basis of supported living, and it is what protects the tenant. Their tenancy rights should not depend on who provides their support, and they should not lose their home because a support arrangement changes.
We keep that line clear in practice as well as on paper: we do not hold the tenancy, we do not control access, and we support people to meet their tenancy obligations rather than taking them over.
Working together
What we take responsibility for
- Care and support delivery against the assessed need
- Supporting tenants to meet tenancy obligations
- Compatibility assessment before a new tenant moves in
- Reporting repairs and housing concerns promptly
- Working with you on antisocial behaviour and neighbour relations
What stays with the landlord
- Housing management, allocations and the tenancy agreement
- Repairs, maintenance and compliance with housing standards
- Rent collection and housing benefit administration
- Decisions about who holds the tenancy
Saying no early is more useful to you than saying yes slowly. We would rather decline a referral in the first conversation than hold up a discharge or a placement while we work out that we cannot do it.
What we would want to know about a property
- Location, transport links and access to community facilities
- Number of units and whether they are self-contained
- Whether there is staff space, including sleep-in accommodation
- Accessibility and any adaptations already in place
- The existing tenant group, if the property is occupied
- Rent and service charge levels, and eligibility for housing benefit
- Fire safety and compliance position
- What the neighbourhood is like, honestly
Funding arrangements we work with
Local authority
CONFIRM: adult social care funded packages, including joint and pooled arrangements.
NHS Continuing Healthcare
CONFIRM: CHC-funded placements and jointly funded packages.
Section 117 aftercare
CONFIRM: aftercare packages following detention under the Mental Health Act.
Personal health budgets
CONFIRM: PHBs and direct payments, including where a family manages the budget.
Private / self-funded
CONFIRM: privately funded arrangements and deputy-managed funds.
Frameworks and DPS
CONFIRM WHICH FRAMEWORKS AND DYNAMIC PURCHASING SYSTEMS BELLUS IS ON.
Every item on this page marked in amber is awaiting confirmation from Bellus and is not yet a published commitment.
What happens after you send a referral
- 1
Initial discussion
A short conversation about the person’s needs and current situation, so we can tell you early whether Bellus is a realistic option. No paperwork required to start this.
- 2
Referral and documents
Formal submission through our secure form, with supporting documents attached.
- 3
Information review
Our clinical and operational teams review the documentation to confirm whether we can safely meet the person’s needs.
- 4
Specialist assessment
A face-to-face or virtual assessment with the person, their family and any current provider.
- 5
MDT review
Our internal multidisciplinary team formulates a support strategy and confirms whether we can offer a safe, effective placement.
- 6
Compatibility assessment
For supported living, a formal assessment of compatibility with existing tenants, the environment and the local community.
- 7
Funding and placement proposal
Detailed costings, a proposed support plan and a transition proposal, submitted to you.
- 8
Transition planning
A step-by-step plan including familiarisation visits, person-specific staff training and any environmental adaptations.
- 9
Move-in
Support commences with a team that has already been trained and briefed on this person.
- 10
Reviews
A structured initial review, then ongoing outcome reviews focused on quality of life, not just service delivery. CONFIRM REVIEW INTERVALS
We publish this pathway because transparency is worth more to a commissioner than a brochure. If a step is going to take longer than expected, we will tell you rather than let the referral go quiet.
What you can expect from us, and when
SLA 1
Initial clinical and operational review, and a clear yes or no on whether we are pursuing the referral.
SLA 2
Specialist assessment arranged with the person and everyone who needs to be there.
SLA 3
Placement proposal and full costings submitted to the funding authority.
These commitments are pending confirmation by Bellus. We will not publish a response time the service cannot operationally hold — a broken commitment costs more than an unpublished one. Out-of-hours referral route: OUT-OF-HOURS ROUTE
Questions from housing providers
1Do you hold tenancies?
No. In supported living the tenant holds their own tenancy with the landlord, and we are a separate support provider. That separation is what protects them.
2Will you do a compatibility assessment before a new tenant moves in?
Yes, and we would not support a move into a shared service without one.
3What areas do you cover?
CONFIRM SERVICE AREAS AND REGIONAL BOUNDARIES.
4Would you take on support in an existing property?
Yes — tell us about the property and the tenants and we will give you an honest read.
5Who is our contact?
NAMED CONTACT FOR HOUSING PARTNERS.
Talk to us about a property or a void
Whether you are looking for a support partner for a new scheme or trying to fill an existing void with the right person, a conversation is the quickest way to find out whether we are a fit.
Referrals inbox: REFERRALS EMAIL · General enquiries: [email protected]