Frequently Asked Questions | Winsome Care Ltd Liverpool
Answers to common questions about supported living services with Winsome Care Ltd in Liverpool and the wider Northwest. Information on referrals, funding, what to expect, and how our service works.
FAQS
We understand that choosing a supported living provider involves many questions. Below you will find answers to some of the questions we are most frequently asked. If your question is not covered here, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
About Supported Living
What is supported living?
Supported living is a type of care and support that enables people to live in their own homes, with a genuine tenancy, whilst receiving the personal care and support they need to live independently. Unlike residential care, where the person lives in a care home owned by the provider, supported living means the person has their own tenancy, their own front door, and the freedom to choose who supports them.
How is supported living different from residential care?
In residential care, the person lives in a property owned or managed by the care provider and does not have a tenancy. In supported living, the person has a genuine tenancy with an independent housing provider and receives care from a separate care provider like Winsome Care Ltd. This gives the person greater choice, control, and rights, including the ability to change their care provider without losing their home.
Who is supported living for?
Supported living is suitable for adults who need support with personal care and daily living but want to live as independently as possible in their own home. Winsome Care Ltd supports adults aged 18 and over, including people with learning disabilities, autistic people, people with mental health needs, people with physical disabilities, people living with dementia, and older adults.
About Our Service
What areas do you cover?
We provide supported living services across Liverpool and the wider Northwest.
What hours do you operate?
Our service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We also maintain a 24-hour on-call service staffed by senior management for emergencies and urgent queries outside normal office hours.
What types of support do you provide?
We provide regulated personal care (washing, bathing, dressing, toileting, medication, mobility support) and holistic support (meal preparation, domestic tasks, community access, social activities, employment support, daily living skills development). Support packages are tailored to each individual and can range from a few hours per week to 24-hour, one-to-one support.
Are you registered with the CQC?
Yes. Winsome Care Ltd is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to provide the regulated activity of personal care within supported living settings.
Do you provide the housing as well?
No. We are a care and support provider only. We do not own, lease, or manage any housing. The person's tenancy is with an independent housing provider. This separation ensures genuine tenancy rights and full compliance with CQC requirements and the REAL Tenancy Test.
Referrals and Getting Started
How do I make a referral?
You can make a referral by calling us on 0151 453 5560, emailing info@winsomecare.co.uk, or completing the referral form on our website. We accept referrals from individuals, families, social workers, commissioners, and other professionals.
What happens after I make a referral?
We aim to acknowledge all referrals within one working day. We will arrange an initial conversation to understand the person's needs, followed by a comprehensive pre-support assessment conducted by our Registered Manager or a qualified senior member of staff. If the referral is accepted, we co-produce a person-centred support plan and carefully match support workers before commencing care.
Can I choose my support workers?
We carefully match support workers to each person based on skills, experience, personality, and compatibility. We welcome input from the person and their family about preferences for staff, and we prioritise continuity of staffing so that each person builds a trusting relationship with a consistent, small team.
Funding and Costs
How is supported living funded?
Supported living can be funded through local authority social care funding (following a Care Act assessment), personal budgets and direct payments, NHS Continuing Healthcare (for people with complex health needs), or self-funding. Housing costs are typically covered by Housing Benefit. We can help you understand the funding options available to you.
How much does your service cost?
Our rates vary depending on the type and timing of support required. We offer competitive rates for both private clients and local authority commissioned packages. We are happy to provide a detailed, transparent quotation tailored to the person's specific needs. Please contact us to discuss pricing.
Can I use a direct payment to pay for your services?
Yes. If you receive a personal budget as a direct payment from your local authority, you can use it to pay for supported living services from Winsome Care Ltd. We are experienced in working with direct payment holders and can help you set up the arrangements.
Quality and Safety
How do you ensure quality?
We operate a comprehensive quality assurance framework that includes regular unannounced spot checks, monthly medication audits, quarterly support plan reviews, quarterly health and safety audits, staff supervision and appraisal, annual feedback surveys, incident analysis, and an annual quality review against all 34 CQC quality statements.
What training do your staff receive?
All staff receive comprehensive mandatory training covering safeguarding, health and safety, moving and handling, infection prevention, medication, the Mental Capacity Act, equality and diversity, and the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism. Staff also receive specialist training relevant to the needs of the people they support.
How do I raise a concern or make a complaint?
We have a clear, accessible complaints procedure. You can raise a concern by speaking to any member of our team, contacting our Registered Manager, or making a formal complaint in writing. We take all concerns seriously and investigate them thoroughly. You can also contact the CQC directly if you have concerns about our service.
Have Another Question? Contact Us
We would love to hear from you. Whether you are looking for supported living for yourself, a family member, or someone you work with professionally, our team is ready to help.