What references do supported living providers need?

Supported living mixes a tenancy with care. The care side brings CQC rules, and the same staff checks as any care provider.

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Quick answer

Supported living providers that give personal care register with CQC, so Regulation 19 and Schedule 3 apply. For each worker, hold satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous care roles, verification of why those roles ended and a full employment history with gaps explained in writing, alongside ID, an enhanced DBS check and health information. RefAssure collects and chases the supported living references.

Supported living regulations: when does CQC apply?

In supported living, people hold a tenancy or own their home, and receive care and support separately. CQC does not regulate the housing. It regulates the care, when the provider carries out personal care, such as help with washing, dressing, eating or medication.

  • If you provide personal care, you register with CQC for that regulated activity and meet the 2014 Regulations, including Regulation 19 and Schedule 3 for staff.
  • If you provide support without personal care, such as help with budgeting or tenancy skills, CQC registration may not apply. Check CQC's guidance on scope. Commissioners often still set recruitment standards in their contracts.

Most supported living staff work alone in someone's home for part of the time, and many support people with a learning disability, autism or mental health needs. That makes references from earlier care roles especially important.

Supported living references in four steps.

1

Add the candidate

Enter their details and their referees. Pick the template with the questions your service expects.

2

Candidate consents

They give consent online, with a signature, before any referee is contacted.

3

Referees are chased

5 emails and up to 2 texts over 12 days, stopping the moment each referee replies.

4

File the PDF

Signed references with a full audit trail, ready to show an inspector or commissioner.

Senior carer bringing tea to an elderly resident in a care home lounge

What to ask supported living referees.

Working alone

Did the person work without direct supervision, and did they follow procedures and support plans?

Choice and independence

Did they support people to make their own choices, rather than doing things for them?

Conduct and concerns

Any disciplinary or safeguarding processes? Why did they leave? Would you re-employ?

One file per worker, ready to show.

Inspectors and commissioners both want to see how you checked your staff. Each candidate record holds consent, every reference and the full trail.

  • Consent status and each referee's progress on one screen
  • Signed references with timestamps for requests, reminders and completion
  • Unlimited team members with shared credits, so every service manager can send
  • First reference free, then from 80p to 99p per reference, no VAT added
Completed candidate record with consent received and two references returned

Supported living questions

More in the full FAQs.

Is supported living regulated by CQC?
CQC regulates the personal care, not the housing. Providers delivering personal care in supported living register with CQC for that regulated activity.
How many references do supported living staff need?
Schedule 3 does not set a number. Many providers ask for two, including the most recent employer, and at least one from a previous care role where there is one.
Is supported living the same as domiciliary care?
They are similar, as both deliver personal care in people's homes. Supported living links care with a tenancy. See domiciliary care references.
Do supported living staff need a barred list check?
Staff giving personal care to adults are usually in regulated activity, so an enhanced DBS check with the adults barred list applies. See barred list checks.
What if a referee from a previous care job will not reply?
RefAssure sends 5 emails and up to 2 texts over 12 days, then tells you so you can add another referee. Record your attempts and why you accepted the alternative.
Does RefAssure do DBS checks?
No. RefAssure handles references and employment history: consent, requests, chasing and a signed PDF audit trail. DBS checks go through the DBS or an umbrella body.

Related guides

Reference checking for care providers Learning disability care references Domiciliary care references CQC Regulation 19 and Schedule 3 Care worker pre-employment checks

Supported living references, without the chasing.

Your first reference is free. Then from 80p, no monthly fee.

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