This is when you live with and are cared for by foster carers in a family home. There may be other foster children there as well as you. Your foster carers might also have their own children. You might be in a foster home for a short time, or a long time - your social worker should tell you what the plan is for how long you will stay. Your foster carers will either work for the local authority or for an organisation called an independent fostering agency, who will give them training and advice on how to be a good foster carer.

This is a big house with other children, and you'll be cared for by a team of staff. You'll have your own room and there are also shared areas to relax, eat and have fun in.

This is when you go to stay in a different place to where you normally live - for example if your usual carers are ill or if they need to go away for any reason. This is only temporary.

This is a residential placement (like a children's home) that is locked. You may have to live in one if people think you are likely to hurt yourself or someone else, although the purpose is to keep you safe, not to punish you.

This is when you live with someone in your family (not your parents) who has been approved by your local authority to be your kinship carer.

Your social worker will start helping you think about what you want to do when you leave care. You don't have to leave until 18 and it's a really good idea to stay in care as long as you can, with people looking after you and helping you think about where you want to go in life.

The law says that your local authority has to provide you with somewhere suitable to live when you leave care. Your social worker should ask you for your views on where you want to live, and they should write down any decisions you and they make about your future in a document called your Pathway Plan. Make sure you have a copy of this, so you know what the local authority has promised you.

When you move on from foster or residential care, the accommodation you choose with your social worker or personal advisor will depend on what's available, and how much independence you (and they) think you're ready for.

In Kirklees, you will have to complete a tenancy preparation course. This is to ensure that you have the independence skills to manage your own property.

Once you have completed the tenancy preparation course and social housing is the route you want to pursue, you will be awarded Band A priority bidding status.

If you have moved out of area this will not be applicable. You have to have a local connection to be considered for housing in an out of area authority.

If you are settled and happy in your foster placement, and your foster carers want you to stay, you can ask to remain there until you are 21. At 18 you'll still become a 'care leaver', but really nothing much will change.

This is similar to 'staying put', but you'll be living with a new carer, and you'll have more independence than when you were in your foster placement.

Similar to a hostel, but much nicer and for 10 to 100 people. You can usually stay up to one year.

If you have certain needs (for example, a disability) that can't be met by common types of accommodation, you should be given housing that's right for you. This maybe a Shared Lives placement where you can stay indefinitely.

This is rented accommodation with extra support if you need it, such as financial advice.

Renting privately means there is more choice about the area and type of home you want to live in, and it's possible to find somewhere to live quickly. Your local council will be able to offer advice and assistance on finding a privately rented home. Some run private sector leasing schemes if you are homeless.

Where to look

• Local newspapers
• Letting agents (most will charge a fee)
• On websites, (for instance Zoopla: Properties to rent or Rightmove )
• Shop windows, such as newsagents.

Type of private rented housing

• Room in a family home
• Self-contained flat or house
• Room in a flat or house with shared access to a bathroom or kitchen

Deposits

You will usually have to pay a deposit. This may be the same as one or up to two month's rent. You will get the deposit back at the end of the tenancy unless you break the rules of the tenancy agreement, such as causing damage to the home or not paying the rent.

Your landlord must protect the deposit under a tenancy deposit protection scheme within 30 days of taking the deposit and provide you with certain information about how the deposit is being protected. You can apply to the county court if your landlord does not do this.

The Care Leavers Service may be able to support you with a deposit and first month’s rent - speak to your Personal Advisor or social worker.

If you are going to university, the local authority must find you somewhere to live during the holidays (which might be at the university) or give you money towards it. There are other ways to fund your accommodation the rest of the time - please discuss this with your Personal Advisor for further information or visit Propel which gives information about what each university offers care leavers.

If you want to own your own property and have the funds to support this either through working or inheritance this would be encouraged, and support given in attending mortgage advisors and setting things up.