Skip to content

Independent
Living Trials

Each Independent Living Trial (ILT) bridges the gap between hospital discharge and long-term community independence.

Working with case managers and external MDTs, Greenshoot delivers structured, time-limited programmes that produce measurable, defensible evidence of progress.

Our nurses and rehabilitation support staff implement therapy plans, monitor outcomes, and report collaboratively to help individuals regain independence and provide commissioners with validated evidence for decision-making.

Submit Referral – Response Within 24 Hours.
Over 50 ILTs completed across Yorkshire since 2014.

Purpose of Independent Living Trials

Determine Future Needs

Provide evidence for legal cases by showing the court the long-term support needs of the individual.

Establish Independence

Enable individuals to develop skills for a structured and supported life as independently as possible.

Identify Challenges

Pinpoint which areas require more support and which strategies are most effective.

Provide Evidence

Gather data on functional ability to help guide rehabilitation and support needs.
Make a referral

What We Provide

Each ILT is designed to provide a structured, time-limited opportunity for individuals to demonstrate independence safely.

Research-Recognised Assessments

Evidence-based trials in real-life settings to assess independence capabilities.

Time-Limited
Trials

Structured timeframes with clear objectives and measurable outcomes.
 

Risk
Assessment

Comprehensive safety evaluations and mitigation strategies.
 

Outcome Measurement

Detailed reporting on independence levels and support requirements.
 

Professional Support

Trained staff providing appropriate levels of supervision and assistance.
 

Evidence Documentation

Comprehensive reports for commissioners and legal proceedings.
 
Make a referral

Benefits & Outcomes

Independent Living Trials deliver both clinical insight and measurable evidence for decision-making.

For Clients & Families

  • Opportunity to demonstrate independence in real-life settings.
  • Safe, supervised environment to build confidence.
  • Clear pathway to reduced support levels where appropriate.
  • Professional advocacy for optimal care arrangements.

For Commissioners & Legal Teams

  • Research-recognised methodology accepted in legal proceedings.
  • Clear evidence of independence levels and support requirements.
  • Comprehensive risk assessments and safety recommendations.
  • Detailed reporting for tribunal and insurer reviews.
Make a referral

How It Works

01 - Referral​

What happens

Goals, risks and timelines shared by commissioners.

Outcomes

Feasibility and setup plan agreed.

02 - Assessment

What happens

Home/community assessment, behaviour and risk analysis.

Outcomes

Care plan with staffing and safety strategies.

03 - Implementation

What happens

Staff induction, routines, communication systems.

Outcomes

Consistent delivery and early stability.

04 - Review

What happens

Outcome and incident reporting, plan adjustments.

Outcomes

Improved stability and community engagement.
Make a referral

Case Studies

Daniel’s Transition to Independence

Profile:

Daniel, 32, sustained a severe traumatic brain injury following a cycling accident. After an extended hospital admission and a year in residential rehabilitation, he returned to live with his parents. Although physically mobile, he was dependent on 24-hour supervision due to impaired short-term memory, poor initiation, and significant anxiety when left alone.

Challenge:

Daniel’s family reported burnout and uncertainty about his long-term potential for independence. Commissioners required measurable evidence of his ability to live with reduced support before approving a community care package.

Intervention:

A six-month Independent Living Trial (ILT) was established under the coordination of the case manager, with multidisciplinary input from Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Clinical Psychology. Greenshoot’s Qualified Nurses and Rehabilitation Support Workers implemented therapy recommendations in Daniel’s rented flat, focusing on daily routines, medication management, and executive function strategies. Regular MDT reviews and functional assessments (FIM, GAS) tracked progress against agreed goals.

Outcome:

  • Support reduced from 24-hour supervision to 12 hours per day of structured 1:1 support, tailored around active hours and daily routines.
  • Anxiety scores decreased by 40%.
  • Independent management of medication, budgeting, and meal preparation achieved.
  • Family able to resume natural, non-carer roles.

Evidence:

Final ILT report demonstrated functional improvement, consistent risk reduction, and sustained stability. Commissioners approved a long-term reduced-support package, recognising the model as a cost-effective and clinically robust step-down pathway.

Olivia’s Step-Down from Hospital

Profile:

Olivia, 28, experienced a severe hypoxic brain injury following a cardiac arrest. She presented with cognitive fatigue, reduced executive functioning, impaired short-term memory, and mild physical weakness. After nine months in hospital, discharge was delayed due to uncertainty about safety and the level of support required at home.

Challenge:

The acute team and commissioners needed evidence of Olivia’s ability to manage safely outside a hospital environment. Her parents were anxious about taking on a full-time carer role without structured professional support.

Intervention:

A four-month Independent Living Trial (ILT) was coordinated by the case manager in partnership with the hospital’s neuro-rehabilitation MDT, including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Clinical Psychology. Greenshoot’s Qualified Nurses and Rehabilitation Support Workers delivered structured daily routines, supported cognitive rehabilitation exercises, and implemented fatigue management strategies in her new home environment. Progress was tracked through weekly MDT reviews and functional outcome measures.

Outcome:

  • Successful discharge within four weeks of ILT start.
  • Support reduced from 24-hour supervision to 1:1 daytime support (12 hours/day) within two months.
  • Independent completion of personal care, light meal preparation, and community mobility achieved by week 10.
  • No unplanned readmissions 12 months post-trial.

Evidence:

The ILT report demonstrated clear, evidence-based progress in Olivia’s independence and safety awareness. Commissioners approved a reduced long-term care package.

Marcus’s Behavioural Stability Journey

Profile:

Marcus, 40, sustained a frontal lobe injury after a fall at work, resulting in emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and verbal aggression. Several care placements had broken down due to escalating incidents and inconsistent staff approaches.

Challenge:

The case manager sought an evidence-based ILT to assess Marcus’s longer-term support requirements and capacity to live semi-independently. Commissioners needed measurable outcomes to determine sustainable support hours and demonstrate risk reduction.

Intervention:

A nine-month ILT was launched with multidisciplinary involvement, including a Clinical Psychologist, Behaviour Specialist, and Occupational Therapist. Greenshoot’s Rehabilitation Support Workers and Qualified Nurses received targeted Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and trauma-informed care training. Daily notes, behaviour logs, and incident reports were collated and reviewed weekly with the case manager and MDT to ensure coordinated learning and adaptive planning.

Outcome:

  • Behavioural incidents reduced by 70% within 16 weeks.
  • Transitioned from 2:1 24-hour support to 1:1 daytime support and 2:1 only during community access.
  • Sleep patterns stabilised and social engagement improved.
  • Reconnected with family and joined a local volunteer programme.

Evidence:

Comprehensive PBS outcome data and incident reduction charts were validated by the Clinical Psychologist and accepted in medico-legal review. The ILT provided defensible evidence for a sustainable community support model, resulting in a 20% reduction in long-term costs and a demonstrable improvement in Marcus’s wellbeing and stability.
Make a referral

FAQs

What are the different phases of independent living trails?
Phase 1: Intensive Support

Starts with significant prompting and assistance, including help with problem-solving and daily activities.

  • 24/7 or intensive daily support
  • Comprehensive skill assessment
  • Safety monitoring and risk management
  • Baseline establishment
 
 
Phase 2: Decreasing Support

The second phase sees a reduction in direct support as skills develop and confidence grows.

  • Graduated support reduction
  • Skill consolidation
  • Increased independence periods
  • Progress monitoring
 
 
Phase 3: Evaluation

The final phase includes unsupervised periods to evaluate the person’s self-awareness and improvement.

  • Unsupervised assessment periods
  • Self-awareness evaluation
  • Final outcome reporting
  • Future care recommendations
Yes, we currently cover all of Yorkshire and surrounding regions.
We use recognised challenging behaviours and PBS approaches with supervision and incident learning.

What people say about Greenshoot

Ruth – Case Manager, CCMS Case Management

I have found working with Greenshoot to be an entirely positive experience. They are extremely responsive. If concerns arise, they highlight them in a timely manner, and communication with the office team is efficient. The specialist support staff provided to my client have been professional, skilled at building a positive working relationship after a stressful experience, and proactive in contacting me when required.

Stephen

I have been working for Greenshoot care services for approximately 2 months now. I really appreciated the welcome and already feel I am a valuable member of the team. Staff are very friendly, supportive and easily accessible. I have 20 years experience in the nursing field and I must admit this is the best agency I have worked for. There are plenty of shifts and they are very flexible with holiday pay. Training is also available tailored to the type of settings you enjoy working. There is support for personal development. I do strongly recommend anyone to join this agency. Big thanks to Michelle, Emma and Sophie.

Lucy Moore

I have worked for Greenshoot for about 18 months and they are fantastic. The whole office team are really efficient and super friendly. I feel really supported there. I feel like they really care about their staff and the clients they support. They give good training and put you in roles that you feel confident in.
As a student I find the role really great as it is flexible. The team are really great if I have exams coming up and want to work less or am on holiday and want to work more. I feel like they want me to succeed both at work and in my degree which is really nice. They always pay correctly and on time. The pay is also weekly which is really useful for me.

Lisa – Case Manager, CCMS Case Management

I have found the communication and flexibility of your services for my client exceptional. All staff I have dealt with have been professional, very accommodating of changes at short notice, cascading information and working collaboratively to provide a client-centred service. The attention to client needs and selection of support staff to match has been thorough, and the approach of the support workers in the package has been key in the client accepting formal support. Thank you to you all for your continued support on this case.

Lesley – Abbeyfield York Society

The quality of staff you provide as an agency is excellent

Katy – J’s PA, rota organiser, and most importantly, big sister.

We’ve been using Greenshoot Care Services since April this year, and they joined us during an incredibly difficult time in our family’s life.

The gentleman they support, J, was experiencing significant mental and physical health challenges, and Greenshoot stepped in right in the middle of it all. To say a fog lifted would be an understatement. They immediately brought calm, stability, and reassurance — not just to J, but to our whole family and the other carers involved.

Since then, a wonderful friendship has grown between J and his support team. His mental and physical health have both improved dramatically — a change that’s due in no small part to Greenshoot’s commitment and care.

Trust doesn’t come easily for J, yet the team earned it within just a few months. Their professionalism, kindness, and ability to stay calm under pressure have been truly refreshing.

If it weren’t for Greenshoot Care Services, our lives would look very different today.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for the outstanding support and care you’ve provided.

Richard – Unit Manager York

I just wanted to say how happy I am with the service provided by Greenshoot Care Services. You are by far the best agency provider I’ve ever worked with.

The staff you’ve supplied have been exceptional — professional, reliable, and a real pleasure to work alongside. They’ve quickly become part of our team, and it’s an absolute joy to have them on board.

I also want to thank the Greenshoot office team for their continued support and flexibility. You handle last-minute changes and busy periods with such professionalism and understanding, which makes managing our service so much easier.

Thank you to everyone at Greenshoot Care Services for your excellent communication, teamwork, and commitment.

Get Started?

Professional partners can refer a client or request an assessment below. Families are welcome to contact us for guidance.
Make a Referral