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About Us

Person-Centred Supported Living in Wales

Step Forward Living provides supported living services for adults experiencing mental health needs across Wales. Our approach focuses on helping individuals build independence, sustain their tenancies, and develop meaningful lives within their communities.

Our work is shaped by dignity, choice, recovery, and respect for individual rights. Support is tailored around each person’s strengths, goals, and aspirations rather than institutional routines.

Regulated by Care Inspectorate Wales — registration in progress

What We Offer

Our Core Approach

Person-Centred Support

Every individual receives tailored support shaped around their goals, strengths, and personal circumstances.

Recovery-Focused

We support people to rebuild confidence, stability, and emotional wellbeing as part of their long-term recovery journey.

Tenancy-Based Living

Individuals live in their own homes with full tenancy rights, promoting independence and stability.

Community Integration

We actively encourage connection, inclusion, and meaningful participation within local communities.

Goals 1-4 written on an A5 notebook

Our Story

Founded on Purpose

Step Forward Living was established to address the growing need for smaller-scale, specialist supported living services for adults experiencing mental health needs across Wales.

Founded by Emma James and Daniel Jones, the organisation was created with a shared commitment to delivering compassionate, culturally aware, and genuine person-led support.

Their combined experience across the care sector and social housing in Wales shaped a service designed to prioritise people over process and deliver positive outcomes within community settings.

Emma James & Daniel Jones — Co-Founders

The name Step Forward Living reflects our philosophy: recognising progress, independence, and achievement — one step at a time.

Our Vision

What We Aim to Achieve

Our work is guided by the principles set out in the Welsh social care framework, including the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

  • Reduce reliance on inpatient mental health services
  • Prevent homelessness among individuals with mental health needs
  • Promote long-term tenancy sustainment
  • Deliver outcome-led recovery support
  • Provide smaller-scale specialist provision aligned with commissioning priorities

Our Values

Four Core Values

These values shape every aspect of the support we provide.

Support

We provide compassionate, person-centred support that helps individuals feel safe, valued and able to thrive in their own homes and communities.

Teamwork

We work collaboratively with individuals, colleagues, families and professionals to achieve positive outcomes and deliver high-quality support.

Empowerment

We enable individuals to build confidence, develop skills and take ownership of their lives, promoting independence and informed choice.

Potential

We believe in the potential of every individual and continuously improve our practice to support people to move forward and achieve their goals.

Our Services

Flexible Support Built Around the Individual

Step Forward Living delivers a structured supported living model that prioritises independence, recovery, and long-term stability — supporting individuals within their own tenancies.

Mental Health Recovery Planning

Structured support to build stability, confidence, and long-term wellbeing through personalised recovery planning.

Emotional Wellbeing Support

Encouraging resilience, emotional awareness, and coping strategies to support day-to-day mental health.

Medication Support

Practical support aligned with assessed needs and agreed care plans, delivered safely and appropriately.

Daily Living Skills

Building confidence in everyday routines and responsibilities to support greater independence.

Budgeting & Tenancy Sustainment

Helping individuals maintain their accommodation and manage finances to sustain successful tenancies.

Community Participation

Supporting access to social, educational, and community opportunities to build meaningful connections.

Single silver house key with keyring in left palm at home office

Housing Model

Secure, Independent Tenancy-Based Living

Accommodation is provided through partnership with Encompass Housing CIC. Care and support provision is operationally and contractually separate from housing, ensuring individuals retain full tenancy rights and legal protections.

This integrated approach allows people to feel secure, settled, and empowered to work towards positive outcomes in a community setting.

Housing Partner

Encompass Housing CIC

Women looking out of upper storey window onto residential area holding a cup

Who We Support

Adults experiencing Complex Mental Health Needs

Step Forward Living supports adults aged 18 and over with enduring or complex mental health needs. Referrals are carefully assessed to ensure the supported living model is appropriate and safe for each individual.

Admission decisions consider:

  • Comprehensive needs assessment and risk analysis
  • Capacity and consent considerations
  • Environmental suitability and staffing requirements
  • Compatibility with existing placements
Referrals may be declined where needs exceed the supported living model or require restrictive interventions incompatible with community tenancy.

Safety & Quality

Our Commitment to Quality

Zero Tolerance
Zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Safeguarding is proactive, proportionate, and person-centred.
Care Plan Reviews
Regular structured reviews using goal planning with keyworker support, involving families and professionals where appropriate.
Stakeholder Feedback
Continuous quality monitoring through feedback, incident reporting, reflective learning, and internal governance oversight.
Internal Audits
Robust governance oversight and internal auditing to ensure consistent standards and continuous service improvement.

Referrals

Make a Referral

Step Forward Living works closely with commissioners, professionals, and partner agencies to create safe and appropriate supported living placements.

Who Can Refer

  • Local authorities
  • Health professionals
  • Commissioners
  • Social workers
  • Partner agencies
Each referral is reviewed carefully to assess support needs, risks, safeguarding considerations, and suitability of the supported living environment.

Referral Enquiry

    Careers

    Work With Step Forward Living

    We are building a team of compassionate professionals committed to delivering high-quality supported living services. Our culture is values-led, with meaningful and rewarding work at its heart.

    Values-led culture

    Work within a team that puts people before process

    Meaningful work

    Make a genuine difference to people's lives every day

    Training & development

    Ongoing professional development and supervision

    Quality standards

    Strong safeguarding and governance framework

    Express Your Interest

    Training Includes

    • Person-centred care and support
    • Safeguarding adults
    • Health and safety
    • Equality, diversity, and human rights
    • Mental Capacity Act 2005
    • Positive Behaviour Support principles
    Staff are supported through supervision, appraisal, and ongoing professional development throughout their employment.

    Get In Touch

    Contact Step Forward Living

    Speak with our team to discuss support services, referrals, or partnership opportunities.

    Telephone 02921 690435
    Address Office 19, Business Development Centre
    Main Avenue, Treforest Industrial Estate
    CF37 5UR

    Send Us a Message

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