MOST Camphill adult communities operate under the Supporting People programme introduced by the government and administered by local authorities. In addition, some are registered as domiciliary care agencies and are able to offer a degree of personal care to residents.
There is no single source of funding for adults with special needs who chose to live with a Camphill community. The funding streams for an individual can include some or all of the following:
- Housing Benefit paid by the local authority covering the area in which the Camphill community is situated.
- A Supporting People Grant paid to the Camphill community by the local authority.
- Payments from Social Services to meet the costs of personal care, general social care and day activities.
- Each community member is also expected to contribute from his or her benefits received from the Department of Works & Pensions for food, heating, lighting, transport, etc., provided by the Camphill community. These benefits can include Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance.
- Private means can also be used in place of some or all of the above funding streams.
The Camphill community which an applicant chooses to join will be able to assist with the procedures for applying for funding but cannot guarantee funding will be available.
While the funding for community members normally covers our communities' day-to-day operating costs, no assistance is provided by government or local authorities for development costs. We are grateful for the support we receive from the public who assist with donations and bequests which allow us to build and buy new community houses, flats, work and social premises, and equip, maintain and refurbish them to high standards. Help us develop our communities and provide new opportunities for adults with special needs by going to the donation section of this website.