Preparing for Adulthood: Planning where to live

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

Early Years

Different types of living arrangements can be introduced to children through real world play or pictures and stories, through visiting family and friends or in exploring new areas. 

Many children in this age will role play cleaning or cooking skills in play activities.

Who can help:

More Information:

 

School Age

Young people may want to consider where they would like to live during secondary school. You can help them explore their options using the information in the following sections.

Independent living skills may be being taught as part of your child's curriculum.

Who can help:

  • Your child's School and SENCO
  • Education Support Services

More Information:

 

Adulthood

Some young adults stay at home with their parents or carers, others get a place to live on their own or with others. 

There are different housing options to consider depending on the type of support you may need. 

Who can help:

  • One Stop Resource Centre provide their Equipment and Adaptations Advice Line (EAAL) for an assessment for equipment or adaptations.
  • Citizen’s Advice Bureau can help give you advice and information on your rights in rented, shared or housing association properties. 

More information:

  • Trafford Autism Hub has a number of useful guides for people with Autism and/or Learning Disabilities looking to rent that have been produced by Greater Manchester Autism Consortium

 

Housing Options

Renting

Renting is a common choice and can be done on your own or in a property you share with other people.

Social housing

Social housing is owned and managed by a council or Housing Association. In Trafford no homes are owned by the Council. Instead, there are a number of registered housing providers across Trafford who have different types of properties.

Rent is often much less than in the private sector and often provders offer longer term assured tenancies and guarantees of service such as repairs. However if you need an adaptation to your home due to illness or disability, you may find that funds for adaptations are limited.  

Anyone can apply for social housing. You can do this either by making an application using the Trafford Home Choice online form or by contacting a registered housing provider directly.

Demand for social housing in Trafford is high. More people want social housing than the number of homes available, with some areas being more popular than others. Being flexible about the type of home and area you wish to live in might reduce your waiting time.

Private sector accommodation

Private landlords offer a wide range of accommodation, often in areas that our local Housing Associations cannot. 

Rents can be higher than in social housing so if you need help with your rent, check out the Local Housing Allowance before you commit to a tenancy.

You can look for private accommodation online, in local shops and local newspapers. Useful websites include:

A housing option to keep rental costs down is to move into shared accommodation. Useful websites include:

Buying

If you are thinking of buying a home, there are lots of things to consider. These guides can help to give you more information about the process:

Housing options if you need further support

Supported housing

There is a range of supported housing options available across the Trafford borough. Supported housing offers people an opportunity to learn independent living skills in a safe environment. 

Housing Options Service Trafford (HOST) is the team that helps supports move-on into independent living. 

For more information see the Supported Living page on our Adults and Older People channel.

Residential placements 

Accommodation for people with learning or physical disabilities who need more intensive or specialised support than can be provided at home. Different types of residential placements are available to meet individual needs and different levels of disability.

For more information please see Housing and residential care on our Adults and Older People channel.

Paying for support

If you are 18 or older you may have to pay for your support. 

Paying for support | Trafford Directory has information on personal budgets, direct payments, residential care and more. 

 

Aids, Equipment and Adaptations

If you have problems bathing, washing, or dressing, there is a range of specially designed equipment to help make looking after yourself simpler. These things can help you to stay living independently in your own home.

For more information see Your Aids, Equipment and Adaptations page

If you believe you need an assessment for equipment or home adaptations, then your first step is to contact the One Stop Resource Centre.

Disabled Facilities Grant is a grant that can help towards the cost of providing facilities or adaptations you to continue to live in their own homes. A financial assessment will be carried out if you are an adult over the age of 18.  

If your assessment of need by the One Stop Resource Centre recommends a Major Adaptation (cost over £10,000) then you will be able to apply for the Disabled Facilities Grant.

You may be able to use a social care personal budget to help with costs of equipment or adaptations if it meets your assessed needs. 

There is also a range of other private equipment and adaptations services in Trafford for people who live in Trafford and who need practical help due to sight or hearing loss, physical or learning disabilities, frailty or illness.

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Last updated: 28/11/2023

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