Young Adult Care Accommodation

Finding suitable property for young adults requiring care, support and specialist residential accommodation

Finding suitable young adult care accommodation requires careful consideration of the property, location, resident needs and type of service being provided. A suitable building needs to provide a comfortable home environment while giving operators enough space to deliver appropriate care and support.

Young adults may require specialist accommodation because of learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, mental health needs or other support requirements. The property needed will depend on the level of care, number of residents and whether the service operates as residential care, supported living or another specialist accommodation model.

In England, CQC distinguishes between care homes, where accommodation and personal care are provided together, and supported living, where people live in their own homes and receive care or support intended to promote independence.

What is young adult care accommodation?

Young adult care accommodation can refer to a range of residential settings where younger adults receive accommodation alongside care, support or supervision.

Depending on the service, residents may receive assistance with:

• Personal care

• Medication

• Meal preparation

• Household tasks

• Managing appointments

• Education and employment

• Social activities

• Community participation

• Developing independent living skills

The property should be selected according to the intended residents rather than simply based on its size or number of bedrooms.

Property requirements for young adult care accommodation

A suitable property may need a combination of private bedrooms, communal areas and facilities for staff.

Potential requirements include:

• Individual bedrooms

• Suitable bathrooms

• Communal lounges

• Dining areas

• Kitchen facilities

• Staff office or workspace

• Secure storage

• Outdoor space

• Accessible entrances

• Suitable internal circulation

• Good heating and ventilation

• Appropriate electrical and plumbing systems

• Space for activities and social interaction

The design should support privacy and dignity while allowing residents to participate in everyday activities wherever appropriate.

Houses for young adult care accommodation

Large residential houses can sometimes be adapted for specialist care accommodation.

Detached and semi-detached homes may offer several bedrooms, communal rooms, gardens and parking, making them potential options for smaller services.

However, a high bedroom count does not automatically make a property suitable.

Operators should examine:

• Bedroom sizes

• Bathroom provision

• Communal space

• Kitchen capacity

• Accessibility

• Fire safety

• Heating and electrical systems

• Garden and outdoor areas

• Staff facilities

• Potential refurbishment requirements

Older properties can require significant work where they have narrow staircases, limited bathrooms or outdated building systems.

Care accommodation for young adults with learning disabilities

Some young adults require specialist accommodation because of learning disabilities.

The property should enable residents to receive appropriate care while developing as much independence as their individual circumstances allow.

Private bedrooms combined with shared kitchens, lounges and outdoor areas can provide opportunities for residents to practise everyday skills and socialise.

CQC identifies community and residential services for people with learning disabilities within its regulated service framework, with the precise requirements depending on the service being delivered.

Care accommodation for young adults with autism

Young adults with autism may have different sensory, communication and environmental requirements.

Depending on individual needs, a suitable property may benefit from:

• Quiet areas

• Low-stimulation spaces

• Predictable layouts

• Private bedrooms

• Suitable communal rooms

• Appropriate lighting

• Accessible bathrooms

• Outdoor areas

• Space for individual activities

There is no universal property specification for autistic adults. The accommodation should be assessed against the needs of the intended residents and the proposed care model.

Care accommodation for young adults with mental health needs

Some young adults require accommodation alongside mental health care or support.

The appropriate property will depend on the level of supervision, care and treatment required. A calm residential environment with suitable private and communal spaces may be appropriate for some services.

Where the proposed service involves regulated activities in England, the provider should establish its CQC registration requirements before operating. CQC's current service guidance includes residential homes, mental health crisis houses and supported living among the service types it regulates, depending on the care arrangement.

Location for young adult care accommodation

Location can have a significant impact on the suitability of a property.

Providers may look for convenient access to:

• GP surgeries

• Hospitals and specialist healthcare

• Pharmacies

• Public transport

• Shops and supermarkets

• Colleges and education facilities

• Employment opportunities

• Parks and leisure facilities

• Community centres

• Other everyday amenities

For young adults developing greater independence, being within reasonable reach of public transport and local amenities can help them participate in the community without relying entirely on staff.

In London, the balance between accessibility, residential character, property availability and cost should be considered carefully.

Young adult care accommodation and supported living

The distinction between residential care and supported living is important when assessing property.

CQC describes a care home as a place where accommodation and personal care are provided together. Both the care and the premises are regulated.

Supported living is different. A person generally lives in their own home and receives care or support to promote independence. The care is regulated by CQC, while the accommodation itself is generally not. Individual supported living homes are normally not CQC locations where the housing and care arrangements are separate.

This means an operator should establish the intended service model before choosing a property.

Renting property to a young adult care provider

Landlords with larger houses or specialist residential buildings may consider leasing them to care providers.

Before entering into a lease, the landlord should understand the proposed use and establish clear responsibilities for:

• Repairs and maintenance

• Refurbishment

• Insurance

• Property alterations

• Fire and safety responsibilities

• Utilities

• Garden maintenance

• Compliance matters

• Reinstatement

The lease should clearly define the permitted use and responsibilities of both parties.

A specialist operator may also require alterations that would not normally be necessary for conventional residential letting.

Refurbishing young adult care accommodation

Some properties can be adapted with relatively straightforward improvements, while others may require substantial refurbishment.

Potential works include:

• Bathroom upgrades

• Kitchen improvements

• Accessibility modifications

• Fire safety works

• Electrical upgrades

• Heating improvements

• Internal reconfiguration

• Flooring and decoration

• Communal-area improvements

• Garden works

The likely cost of these works should be established before a provider commits to a long lease or property purchase.

Where planning permission or building regulations approval may apply, these matters should be investigated before refurbishment begins.

CQC considerations for care accommodation

Where a provider plans to carry out a regulated activity in England, it needs to establish whether CQC registration is required.

For care homes, CQC treats the accommodation and care as part of the regulated service. For supported living, the individual accommodation is generally not the CQC location where the housing and care arrangements are separate.

The precise regulatory position therefore depends on the proposed service rather than simply the property's description.

Operators should determine the intended service model before committing substantial funds to acquisition, leasing or refurbishment.

Buying young adult care accommodation

Investors and operators considering purchasing property should assess both the building and its potential operational use.

Important considerations include:

• Location

• Property size

• Internal layout

• Accessibility

• Existing use

• Planning position

• Refurbishment requirements

• Local demand

• Regulatory requirements

• Maintenance costs

• Potential operator demand

A property should not be purchased simply because it has multiple bedrooms. Its ability to support the intended residents and service model is equally important.

Investment in young adult care accommodation

Specialist accommodation can attract interest from investors where suitable properties are in demand.

However, the investment should be assessed using the underlying property and proposed operating arrangement rather than assuming that specialist use automatically produces a higher return.

Investors should consider:

• Property value

• Location

• Condition

• Refurbishment costs

• Operator demand

• Lease structure

• Maintenance obligations

• Long-term demand

• Potential resale value

Where a property requires conversion or substantial adaptation, the cost and timescale of the works should form part of the investment assessment.

Finding property for young adult care accommodation

Care providers should prepare a detailed property brief before approaching landlords, agents or property consultants.

The brief can include:

• Preferred locations

• Number of residents

• Bedroom requirements

• Bathroom requirements

• Accessibility needs

• Communal-space requirements

• Outdoor space

• Parking

• Staff facilities

• Budget

• Lease or purchase preference

• Refurbishment requirements

• Intended resident profile

A clear specification makes it easier to identify properties with genuine potential.

Fraser Bond for young adult care accommodation

Fraser Bond can assist care providers, landlords and investors looking for young adult care accommodation across London and the wider UK.

Services can include specialist property sourcing, acquisition and leasing support, refurbishment coordination, property management and wider property consultancy.

Whether you are looking for a residential care property, supported living accommodation or a specialist building for young adults with additional support needs, the property should be assessed against the requirements of the intended service.

The right accommodation can provide young adults with a safe and comfortable home while giving operators the practical environment required to deliver appropriate care and support.