Supported accommodation is usually a step on the way to living independently, not the final stop. A move-on plan is the map for that journey. Done well, it means you leave with the skills, the paperwork and the confidence to hold your own tenancy.
What a move-on plan is
A move-on plan is an agreement between you and your support worker about how you will get ready to leave and where you might go next. It sets out the steps, who does what, and roughly when. It should be built with you, not handed to you.
What a good plan covers
- •The practical skills you want to build, like budgeting and cooking.
- •Sorting benefits, references and any debts.
- •Getting on the council housing register if that suits you.
- •What kind of place you are aiming for, and where.
- •A rough timescale, with room to change it.
Start it early
The best time to think about moving on is not the week before you leave. Raise it with your support worker early, so there is time to build skills and get your paperwork in order. Our guide on preparing for independent living covers the practical side.
Getting the housing side ready
Part of moving on is lining up where you go next. That might be the council housing register, a private room or a shared house. Our guides on joining the council housing register and moving on to your own tenancy explain the options, and you can start looking on Signpost when the time is right.
Leaving well
Give proper notice, leave your room in good order, and stay on good terms with staff, since a support worker can be a valuable reference. Keep the phone numbers of people you trust, because moving on does not mean going it alone.
If you are not ready
There is no shame in needing more time. A move-on plan should move at your pace. If you feel pushed to leave before you are ready, get advice. Our guide on your rights as a licensee explains where you stand.
This guide is general information, not legal advice.