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Find the services you want

If you need details of housing-related support services and accommodation right across England you can visit the Supporting People Directory of Services, see the link below.

Once you've logged on, you can input information about the type of support you need. You can then choose the sort of service you want, and where you want it. A search will then be carried out to find suitable services, and come up with a list, including contact details. It is then up to you to get in touch with the services of your choice.

• Supporting People Directory of Services Opens new window

What is the website for?

It is to help you search for all kinds of support that can help you live more independently. The website brings together all housing-related support services right across England. Working as an online one-stop shop, which means you can search for a suitable service anywhere in the country.

The website details any kind of housing-related support. For example, if you:

There may be other reasons you need help or support with your living arrangements.

• More information on supported housing schemes (disabled people section)

What services will you find on the website?

There are thousands of services on the site for all kinds of people. These range from housing with sleep-in staff for people with learning disabilities or other groups, to sheltered housing for elderly people, probation hostels for ex-offenders, or on-site support for teenage parents. Some of the services are accommodation-based, and some are support services that come to you where you are living.

If you need to find support in an emergency, you can use the website to find a service immediately. Or you can find support or accommodation in the longer-term.

What will the website tell me about a service?

You will be told the name of a service, who runs it, where it is and details of the support it offers. You will also be told how you can be referred to a service and the contact details you need. The website will not tell you if any specific service has free spaces or if they will definitely be able to help you - you will have to contact them to find out.

Sometimes an address will be left off the website if the service supports a group of people - such as victims of domestic violence, or people with HIV/AIDS - who could be targeted by others.

How can you get in touch with a service?

The website will tell you how to get in touch with a service. Sometimes this will be by contacting the service direct (self-referral), and sometimes by contacting someone else, for example probation or social services, who can refer you to the service.

Are the services the same as care services?

No. The website only has information on housing-related support services, for example help to cook, pay bills and budget, or accommodation with on-site support staff. Care services are run separately, by health or social services, but they should work well with housing services to help you make a success of independent living.

More useful links

• Information for over 50s
• More information and advice for disabled people
• Information about health and support