Supporting People commissions and monitors housing-related support services, which help people of all ages and with a wide range of different needs to live independently in the community.

In Newcastle, Supporting People is managed by a partnership between Newcastle City Council, the Probation Service for Northumbria and Newcastle Primary Care Trust. The partnership buys around 250 different Newcastle services, including emergency alarms for older people, supported housing for people leaving prison or coping with drug or alcohol problems, homeless hostels and support for people with learning disabilities to live in their own homes.