Transparency data

Supported Housing Advisory Panel: Terms of Reference

Published 9 June 2026

Applies to England

1. Purpose  

The Supported Housing Advisory Panel is established under section 1 of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 (the Act). Its purpose is to provide the Minister with responsibility for supported housing and officials with independent, expert advice and insight on matters relating to all forms of supported housing including:  

• implementation of the Act and associated reforms
• current and emerging issues in any form of supported accommodation
• impacts of government policy on residents, providers and local authorities
• risks, challenges, and unintended consequences affecting the quality, safety, viability and supply of supported housing

The panel supports the creation of a stronger, more transparent oversight regime and aims to improve outcomes for residents and value for money for the public purse.  

2. Statutory context  

The Act requires the Secretary of State to establish an advisory panel representing key stakeholder groups.  

The Act mandates that membership must include at least one representative from:  

• registered providers of social housing
• local housing authorities
• social services authorities
• charities providing supported exempt accommodation
• residents or potential residents of supported exempt accommodation

3.  Strategic objectives of the panel   

 The panel should align its workstreams to the following objectives:  

a. For all supported housing to be of good quality, including:

• the quality of the accommodation should well managed and be of a ‘good’ standard – for example, it should meet the relevant standards for accommodation, including the Decent Homes Standard or the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• supported housing should deliver good-quality support to vulnerable people – which is suited to their individual needs
• supported housing should deliver good value for money
• supported housing should be planned for and delivered through a coordinated approach involving health, social care, housing, and planning authorities

b. The government’s aim for there to be an adequate supply of good quality supported housing for all those who need it, but in particular for older people and working age adult client groups^{[footnote 1]}.

4. Functions  

The panel will:  

a. Advise on implementation of the Act

• whether the proposed government reforms will make a difference to the quality of both the accommodation and support provided to supported housing residents
• advising on challenges and risks including any unintended consequences for the supply and deliverability of supported housing
• supporting the review of licensing (which will take place 3 years after its introduction, as set out in the Act)

b. Provide intelligence on emerging issues in the sector, such as supply risks, providers leaving and entering the market, subsidy loss issues, commissioning challenges, and trends in resident experience – ensuring that a range of resident voices are considered and reflected.

c. Support policy development by identifying operational challenges, unintended consequences – particularly for residents, and opportunities to strengthen provision, investment, and outcomes.

d. Produce outputs including, but not limited to:

• an Annual Report summarising advice and key insights
• advice papers or thematic notes, as requested by MHCLG Ministers or officials
• before the end of the Chair’s tenure, undertake a review of the panels effectiveness in ensuring effective delivery of the Act and what further reforms may be required

The panel will ensure that the resident voice is clearly included and reflected in all its deliberations and advice.  

5. Membership  

The panel consists of a Chair and 11 members. Members have been appointed for 5 years, and the Chair has been appointed for 18 months.  

Membership reflects the statutory requirements set out in the Act, with individuals selected for their expertise, lived experience and leadership.  

A full list of members is maintained by MHCLG officials and can be viewed online: Supported Housing Advisory Panel .

6. Role of the Chair  

The Chair is responsible for:  

• providing strategic leadership to the panel
• agreeing and delivering on work priorities
• ensuring any advice is balanced and evidence-based
• facilitating constructive challenge and consensus-building
• representing the panel in meetings with Ministers and senior officials
• completing annual appraisals of the panel members
• monitoring the overall effectiveness of the panel and its members

7. Ways of working  

Meetings  

The panel will meet formally on a quarterly basis and MHCLG officials will attend as required.

The panel may meet in between the quarterly meetings as required in order to progress their work. MHCLG officials may attend if required.

Meetings may be virtual or in person.

Sub-groups or task-and-finish groups may be established by the Chair to progress thematic areas (for example,  supply and access, licensing, residents voice and quality).

Discussions, papers and minutes should remain confidential.

Secretariat  

MHCLG officials will provide some secretariat support to the panel. They will:  

• arrange the panel meetings
• share high level notes and actions
• facilitate meetings with the Minister and senior stakeholders as required
• support on establishing professional processes for setting up the panel – for example, appraisals, work processes, etc.

The panel will also need to determine how it can best utilise its skills and expertise to support the delivery of its work.  

Decision-making  

The panel is advisory. Where consensus cannot be reached, differing views may be recorded.  

Engagement  

The panel may engage with a range of stakeholders while carrying out its work, including:  

• residents and lived experience groups to help them learn from their real-life insights
• providers and representative bodies
• local authorities and regulators
• investors and financial stakeholders
• other government departments
• other advisory groups

8. Conduct and expectations  

Members must:  

• adhere to their Terms of Appointment
• uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles – listed in Annex C to members’ Terms of Appointment)
• declare conflicts of interest and comply with due diligence requirements
• maintain confidentiality where required
• Participate actively, preparing thoroughly and contributing constructively

The Senior Sponsor is responsible for evaluating the performance of the Chair annually. The Chair is responsible for evaluating the performance of the panel members annually.   

9. Outputs and reporting  

The panel should:  

• provide advice formally through written notes, submissions, or meeting readouts
• produce an Annual Report summarising insights and recommendations

MHCLG will consider the panel’s advice and respond where appropriate either in writing or via meetings with the Chair or the panel. Advice from the panel to Ministers will be treated as confidential until the Minister has opined. The panel may decide to publish their advice on GOV.UK.

10. Review  

The Terms of Reference will be reviewed with the Chair after the first year, and periodically thereafter, to ensure they remain aligned with ministerial priorities, sector changes, and implementation needs.

1. Supported Housing Review: “…of the supply needed by 2040, 310,800 units will be for working age adult client groups and between 684,800 and 963,800 units will be required for older people.” ↩