The SLC Group has worked with over 60 young people and their families in the last five years to move out of their family home or residential college and into their own home - enabling young people with a range of disabilities to begin their path to real independence.

John Norris moved out of his family home in March and is now supported by The SLC Group to live in a shared supported living tenancy in Liverpool. We went to meet John to hear all about the big move and how he has put himself in control of the whole process.

John moved into his new home on 15th March and over the last few months has been busy buying new things and making it home. “This is my room,” John says showing me a large room covered in Liverpool FC memorabilia. “I picked it because you can see the garden.”

John had first pick of the rooms in the large detached bungalow in Croxteth Park, Liverpool, as his two housemates were moving in at the end of April. The three housemates are tenants in their new home with SLC providing 24 hour support based on their individual and specific needs.

“John was living with his mum before,” explains SLC Locality Manager, John Taylor. “Together with his mum he looked around quite a few houses and met with a number of support providers over the past 12 months.”

Taking control hasn’t stopped at John (Norris) choosing his house or support provider. He has also helped recruit his staff team and facilitate their training sessions - making sure he has been fully involved and in control of setting up his service at The SLC Group.

“Because John receives a high level of personal care and support it is vital that the staff working with John share similar interests”. John (Taylor) explains: “Finding the right type of person to support you is vital and for someone like John, who is very active and has a high level of personal support, getting involved in picking your staff team is key.” John (Taylor) adds.

John (Norris) interviewed his own staff - attending an assessment centre with his mum at SLC’s Merseyside office in Netherton. It was here he first met one of his Support Workers Maria Hughes.

“I met Maria on the day” says John (Norris). “I remember she was really nice but I can’t remember what questions I asked her!”

“I remember what he asked me!” laughs Maria who is supporting John today. “I was so nervous. John asked me lots of questions, things like; ‘do I like playing Nintendo Wii?’, ‘can I cook?’…that threw me as I am not great at cooking. But that didn’t matter to John and since he has moved in we have been learning together – so far John likes my tuna pasta bake the most!”

And it’s not just cooking skills that are being developed… John (Norris) and his newly recruited support team have also been working together to develop their experiences and knowledge by taking part in a number of training sessions.

John (Taylor) explains: “Prior to coming to The SLC Group, John had completed a first aid training course and was keen to get involved in some other types of training.” Over the last few months John (Norris) has topped up his skills with medication training and moving and handling. “He attended these sessions with his new support team and had plenty of fun along the way,” adds John (Taylor).

John has made a great start in his new home and by getting involved in setting up his new service has put himself fully in control of his support and new life.