Publisher's Synopsis
Research has confirmed that most of the so-called 'ordinary' housing services for people with learning disabilities are more appropriate than their institutional predecessors. However, the quality of such services tend to be very variable, and rarely lead to full inclusion within the community. Indeed, in practice these options are rarely that 'ordinary'. Most will take the form of registered residential care. Very few people with learning disabilities currently get to live in their own home. This report is based on an independent evaluation of the services provided by Housing Options - an advisory service established to enable people with learning difficulties to access a much wider range of housing choices. Through interviews with service users and providers, and a study of a range of similar projects, Pushing open the door looks at: who uses the Housing Options service; people's experiences of using the service, including the barriers people faced in extending choice; capacity building with organisations; key findings and the implications for advice services, commissioners and central government; wider lessons about the application of supported living. The report argues that supported living involves a wide range of tools and techniques to ensure that the housing and support arrangements are appropriate to the needs and wishes of the individual. Pushing open the door will be of interest to all those involved in the strategic planning and provision of housing, community care and advice services as well as anyone interested in housing, community care and rights for people with learning difficulties.
