Housing advice for care leavers aged 25 and under

Care leaver's pathway into independent living

If you are a care leaver aged 17+ you may be preparing with the help of your Social Worker to plan your move on into independence.

There are various options available to you such as Staying Put , Supported Lodgings and Semi-Independent Living; these options will be discussed with you together with your Social Worker, Personal Advisor and Housing Solutions Officer.

Housing Solutions will work with you once you are ready for independent living. We will work with you and your Personal Advisor to help you develop a Personal Housing Plan, giving you all the skills needed to help you live successfully in your own accommodation.

When you have built up all the skills needed to live independently you will have the opportunity to attend a pathway planning meeting. At this meeting your band on the housing register will be explained to you.

Your Housing Solutions Officer will support you with your move on to independence.

Help for 16 and 17-year-olds

What you can expect if you are experiencing housing problems:

• You will initially be offered mediation to help resolve any conflicts at home
• You will be allocated a Social Worker and they will carry out a full assessment of your needs and abilities
• If we assess that you need emergency accommodation the majority of our accommodation will be with Night Stop , this is a placement in a volunteers home who will provide you with a hot meal and a bed for the night
• We may also decide that you are eligible for supported accommodation to help you develop the skills needed to move on into independent living once you are 18

Further guidance

• Shelter: Housing help for care leavers
• Shelter: Young people and care leavers housing rights

Other ways to contact us

You can telephone or email us.