Services for older people

• What is sheltered housing?

• Where are our sheltered schemes?

• Who is eligible?

• Specially adapted properties

• Visiting Support Officers

• Sheltered Estate Officers

What is sheltered housing? 

Sheltered Housing is supported housing for older people who want to lead an independent life in their own home.

It's designed to provide independence in a secure and friendly environment.

We manage 43 sheltered housing schemes in 30 villages throughout South Cambridgeshire. The schemes consist of groups of bungalows or flats, with communal facilities available on most schemes.

You can apply for sheltered housing online, by visiting the Home-Link website. If you would like to speak to someone about sheltered housing, please call 01954 713 000.

Where are our sheltered schemes?

Below is a list of the villages where we have sheltered housing schemes available and the number of properties in each village.

Who is eligible? 

Applications are welcome from people aged 60 or over. 

For a joint application, at least one of the applicants must be aged 60 or over.

Applicants below the age of 60 with a physical or other disability, who may have a particular need for sheltered housing, may be considered.

You will need to have an assessment to assess your eligibility for sheltered housing and a home visit by the sheltered estate service will take place. 

If your application is not successful you can request a review of the decision, which will be undertaken by the Community Impact Team Leader.

New to sheltered housing? Have a look at our Sheltered Housing guide.

Specially adapted properties

Some of our properties have been specially adapted, or may be suitable for adaptation, for a household that includes a person with a physical or learning disability.

Properties with adaptations that become vacant, will be offered as a first priority to applicants where a member of their household has a disability and for whom the dwelling would be particularly suitable.

If you own your own home, live in a housing association home or are privately renting and you are disabled or suffering from a medical condition which requires special housing needs, the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency may be able to help you. 

If you are a tenant and having difficulties moving around your home, there are adaptations that can be put in place to make it easier and safer, as well as providing some independence.

Visiting Support Officers

Visiting Support Officers provide a support service that will help residents remain independent in their own home for as long as possible. They offer a flexible, practical service and provide emotional support. 

This is a needs-based service and all new referrals are visited in the first instance for a needs and risk assessment to be undertaken. They will assess the level and type of support needed. 

Officers can support new residents by helping to:

• set up utility bills 
• finding furniture and white goods for the home

They will work with residents to access other services, through working in partnership with the statutory and voluntary sector. Officers support residents to:

• maximise their income
• provide benefit advice 
• offer assistance to claim benefits
• provide access to other local services and social activities within the community.  

The Visiting Support Service can assist you to access care and health services, so that you can continue to be independent in your home - through liaison with adult social care, local GP and health services.

Sheltered Estate Officers

Sheltered Estate Officers are responsible for;

• the management of the communal buildings, and 
• to ensure safety checks and risk assessments are carried out regularly. 

Visits will be made to residents’ properties on a monthly basis to test alarms, pendants, if applicable and smoke detectors and update any changes in residents’ circumstances. 

The Sheltered Estate Officers have a number of schemes to cover and they will divide their time between each scheme.

They will work with tenants to encourage use of the communal rooms to organise activities, outings and to encourage all residents and the wider community to take part in these activities.

If a resident has concerns regarding the scheme, their property or the communal facilities, they can contact their sheltered estate officer on their mobile telephone number.

The Sheltered Estate Officer can refer residents to the visiting support service regarding resident’s health and well-being if necessary.

Please note: The Sheltered Estate Officers are not on duty 24 hours a day and do not provide nursing or personal care services.

We can give support in helping residents to access services, which will provide the help that is needed. 

All residents that have opted to have an alarm unit have 24-hour, 365 days emergency cover by pressing your pendant or Lifeline unit.