Young Adults Care Home

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

A young adults care home needs to provide more than bedrooms and communal facilities. The property should create a safe, comfortable and appropriate environment for young people while giving care providers the space and facilities needed to deliver personalised support.

Young adults may require residential care for different reasons, including learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, complex care needs or mental health-related support. The type of property required will depend heavily on the needs of the residents and the service the operator intends to provide.

In England, a care home is a setting where accommodation and personal care are provided together. CQC regulates both the care and the premises, and its current guidance includes residential homes and mental health crisis houses among care home services without nursing.

What type of property is suitable for a young adults care home?

A suitable property needs to accommodate the proposed number of residents while providing enough private, communal and operational space.

Potential properties can include:

• Large detached houses

• Substantial semi-detached properties

• Former care homes

• Purpose-designed care accommodation

• Converted residential properties

• Specialist residential buildings

The property's existing use, layout and condition should be assessed before assuming that it can operate as a care home.

A property with several bedrooms may look attractive initially, but inadequate bathrooms, narrow corridors, poor accessibility or insufficient communal space can make adaptation expensive.

Property requirements for a young adults care home

The exact requirements depend on the residents and type of care being delivered, but providers may look for:

• Individual bedrooms

• Suitable bathrooms

• Communal lounges

• Dining facilities

• Appropriate kitchen facilities

• Accessible entrances and circulation

• Staff office or administration space

• Secure storage

• Outdoor space

• Suitable heating and ventilation

• Adequate electrical and plumbing systems

• Space for activities and resident support

Where residents have mobility or other accessibility requirements, the property may need wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, appropriate ramps or other adaptations.

The objective should be to create a residential environment that supports dignity, privacy and independence wherever appropriate.

Location for a young adults care home

Location is an important part of selecting a care home property.

Depending on the needs of the residents, operators may want convenient access to:

• GP surgeries

• Hospitals and specialist healthcare

• Pharmacies

• Public transport

• Shops

• Parks and recreational facilities

• Colleges and education providers

• Employment opportunities

• Community facilities

A residential neighbourhood can provide a more conventional home environment, while good transport connections can make it easier for residents, staff and visitors to access the property.

For London care providers, the relationship between location, property size, accessibility and acquisition or rental costs needs to be assessed carefully.

Young adults care home for people with learning disabilities

Some young adults require residential care because of learning disabilities and associated support needs.

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

Features such as private bedrooms, communal areas, accessible kitchens and outdoor space can provide opportunities for everyday activities.

Where a service is intended for autistic people or people with learning disabilities, CQC requires providers applying to run relevant residential, home care or supported living services to demonstrate that their service meets the Right support, right care, right culture standards.

Young adults care home for people with autism

Specialist autism care homes may require additional consideration of the property's layout and environment.

Depending on the needs of residents, providers may look for:

• Quiet areas

• Low-stimulation spaces

• Predictable layouts

• Private bedrooms

• Secure outdoor areas where appropriate

• Suitable communal rooms

• Appropriate lighting

• Accessible bathrooms

• Space for individual activities

There is no single property design that will suit every autistic person. The accommodation should be assessed against the needs of the intended residents and the proposed care model.

Young adults care home for mental health needs

Some residential care services support young adults with mental health needs.

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

Where the proposed service involves regulated activities, the provider must establish whether CQC registration is required before beginning operations. CQC states that carrying out a regulated activity without registration is an offence.

CQC requirements for a young adults care home

Care providers should establish the regulatory requirements before committing to a property.

CQC assesses proposed providers on matters including staffing, policies, systems and the size, layout and design of the premises where care will be provided. It can refuse an application where premises are unsuitable.

CQC's location guidance also treats a care home as a location where people live as their main or sole residence and receive care or treatment.

This means property selection should form part of the provider's wider service planning rather than being treated as a separate property decision.

Young adults care home versus supported living

Not every service providing accommodation and support to young adults is a care home.

In supported living, the person generally lives in their own home and receives care or support intended to promote independence. CQC regulates the care, while the accommodation itself is generally not regulated by CQC in the same way as a care home.

The contractual relationship between accommodation and care can therefore be important.

Providers should determine whether their proposed service is a care home, supported living service or another type of accommodation before choosing a property. The distinction can affect regulatory requirements, property arrangements and how the service operates.

Renting a property to a young adults care home operator

Landlords with larger residential properties may consider leasing them to care providers.

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

• Repairs and maintenance

• Refurbishment

• Insurance

• Property alterations

• Fire safety responsibilities

• Compliance matters

• Utilities

• Garden and external maintenance

• Reinstatement requirements

A specialist care tenant may require alterations that would not normally be needed for conventional residential letting, so these matters should be addressed in the lease.

Refurbishing a property for a young adults care home

Some residential properties may require substantial work before they can support a specialist care service.

Potential refurbishment can include:

• Bathroom upgrades

• Kitchen improvements

• Accessibility modifications

• Electrical upgrades

• Heating improvements

• Fire safety works

• Internal reconfiguration

• Flooring and decoration

• Improved communal areas

• Garden and outdoor-space improvements

CQC considers the suitability of premises as part of registration, so operators should identify significant property issues before committing to the project.

Where building regulations or planning requirements apply, these should also be investigated before works commence.

Buying a young adults care home property

Investors and operators considering purchasing a property for a young adults care home 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

• Ongoing maintenance

• Potential operator demand

A property should not be purchased solely because it has a large number of bedrooms. Its suitability for the intended residents and care model is equally important.

Finding a young adults care home property

Providers searching for a property should prepare a detailed specification before approaching landlords, agents or property consultants.

This can include:

• Preferred locations

• Number of residents

• Number of bedrooms

• Bathroom requirements

• Accessibility requirements

• Communal-space requirements

• Outdoor-space requirements

• Parking

• Staff facilities

• Budget

• Lease or purchase preference

• Refurbishment requirements

• Intended resident profile

A clear property brief can help reduce time spent assessing buildings that are unsuitable for the proposed service.

Fraser Bond for young adults care home property

Fraser Bond can assist care providers, landlords and investors looking for young adults care home property 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 a care provider looking for a suitable residential property, a landlord seeking a specialist tenant or an investor assessing a care property opportunity, the building should be evaluated against the requirements of the proposed service.

The right property can provide young adults with a stable residential environment while giving care providers the practical facilities needed to deliver appropriate support.