Yes. Adults, family members and professionals can contact RDF for guidance about Floating Support and the referral route. Formal admission is through Social Services or another professional body or organisation.
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RDF Care CIC services
Floating Support
Flexible support services that enable individuals to maintain independence while receiving assistance with various aspects of daily living.
Who this may help
A practical route, shaped around the person.
The right level of support depends on the person’s circumstances, strengths, preferences and the referral conversation.
- Adults in Nottingham who may benefit from practical support to manage at home or take part in community life.
- People who are finding routines, appointments, household organisation or communication with services difficult to manage alone.
- Adults working towards greater confidence and independence after a change in circumstances, with support agreed around their individual situation.
- Families, social workers and other professionals who are exploring a community-based support option for an adult.
- People who want support alongside them rather than someone taking over tasks they can do themselves.
What support can include
Useful help with the everyday.
The exact support is agreed around the person’s goals. These are examples of the practical areas that can be discussed.
- Working with you to identify priorities, break larger tasks into manageable steps and make a practical plan for the week.
- Helping you organise appointments, letters, forms and questions so you can prepare for conversations with professionals or services.
- Supporting everyday routines such as shopping plans, meal planning, household organisation and keeping track of important tasks.
- Practising ways to travel locally, attend appointments or use community facilities, where this is part of the agreed support.
- Helping you understand information, communicate your views and identify who to contact when you need further help.
- Reviewing what is working with you and passing on relevant updates through the agreed referral or support arrangements.
What it can feel like
A clear, respectful way of working.
Support is not about taking over. It is about agreeing useful next steps and building confidence at a manageable pace.
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Support starts with listening to what matters to you, what feels difficult and what you would like to change; the first conversations are used to understand your situation rather than make assumptions.
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Together, you and the support worker agree practical priorities. A visit or session might focus on one task, such as preparing for an appointment, sorting paperwork or planning the week.
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The support worker works alongside you and encourages you to do as much as you can for yourself. They can help you think through options, but they do not make decisions on your behalf.
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Plans can be revisited when your circumstances, goals or confidence change. Any communication with family members or professionals follows the arrangements agreed for your support.
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Progress may be gradual. A useful step might be completing one appointment, keeping one routine going or knowing who to contact next, rather than doing everything at once.
Possible outcomes
Progress can start with small changes.
Each person’s goals and progress will be different. The focus is on practical improvements that matter in everyday life.
- You may feel clearer about what needs doing and more able to plan the next step.
- You may build confidence in managing routines, appointments and household tasks at your own pace.
- You may become better able to communicate your choices and questions to services and other people involved in your support.
- You may take part in more ordinary activities in your local community, with less reliance on someone else for each step.
- You may have a clearer picture of the support that helps and the areas where further professional input is needed.
Referral-led admissionsFormal admission to Floating Support is through Social Services or another professional body or organisation. A social worker, care coordinator or another involved professional can discuss the service and make a referral through the appropriate route. Adults and families can contact RDF for guidance before a referral is made; RDF can explain what information may be useful and help you understand the next step, but contact alone is not formal admission. The referral conversation should make clear what support is being requested, what matters to the adult and which professionals or organisations are involved.Discuss a referral
Service questions
Helpful answers about Floating Support.
Open a question to reveal a clear answer. These are a starting point, and RDF can also talk through the service and referral route with adults, families and professionals.
