Glossary
Commissioning
In one sentence
When a council or public body contracts a provider to deliver support or care, and pays for it.
Commissioned services have contract monitoring. Under the April 2026 response, commissioned services will not have to meet the national standards licensing condition directly, because commissioners are expected to buy support that meets them.
Related terms
Where it comes up
- Types of supported housing in EnglandSupported housing is any housing that comes with support, care or supervision to help people live as independently as they can. The main models are hostels, shared supported houses, self-contained supported flats, Housing First, refuges, young people's schemes, supported lodgings, supported living and housing for older people. They differ in who they serve, how long people stay and who pays for the support.
- Licensing and the national supported housing standardsThe Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 lets the government set national supported housing standards and create a council-run licensing regime for supported exempt accommodation in England. The April 2026 response confirmed licence holders must meet the standards, pass a wider fit and proper test and assess each resident's needs within four weeks. Licensing is expected in 2027.
- Transitional housing and move-onTransitional housing is time-limited supported accommodation that helps someone get from crisis to a settled home. Stays usually run from six months to two years. The service only works if move-on planning starts at the first meeting, with a realistic destination, the steps to get there and named people responsible for each one.