Use this page to learn how to live independently as a care-experienced young person.
Learning to live independently is a big change for everyone. It is important to have somewhere safe and stable to live. There are several different options available, depending on where you are on your journey towards independent living.
Your wishes are important and we will work with you and the housing services to consider what is most suitable based on your needs.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Staying Put | This is an extension of your foster placement after you turn 18 and is an arrangement agreed between you and your carers. This can last until you are 21. |
| Supported Lodgings | This is a low to medium level of supported accommodation, where you would live in someone’s home alongside them (could be a single person or a larger family). This option is for 16 – 25-year-olds who are in some form of education, employment, or training. You will be supported to develop your independent living skills. |
| Residential home and 16+ higher support accommodation |
This option supports young people to prepare for independent living (up to the age of 18). You will have a Support Worker or Key Worker available. If you have care and support needs that are being helped by Adult Social Care you may be able to stay where you are, if Adult Social Care agrees this is the right place for you to stay. |
| 16+ semi supported accommodation |
There are a range of providers for 16+ accommodation options. You will have a Support Worker or Key Worker who will support and help you to develop your independent living skills, especially relating to managing a tenancy in the future. Normally this will end when you turn 18 or may continue if you have adult care, care and support needs, or are an UASC with no recourse to public funds. |
| Pathways | This option is a medium-level supported living option and is available for 16 – 25-year-olds. Pathways is applied for via the ‘Gateway’ on B&NES housing site in advance (as there is often a waiting list). A Support Worker or Key Worker is available. |
| 18 + low support accommodation | This option (e.g. Platform for Life (P4L), Foyer, Dartmouth Avenue, Rackfield House) is for young people who have demonstrated they have some skills to look after themselves. You may also need to be enrolled in education or working to access this option. You can normally stay for up to 2 years. This is applied for via the ‘Gateway’ on our Housing site in advance (as there is often a waiting list), or via a referral form to P4L. |
| Social Housing | BANES care-experienced young people are automatically allocated Band ‘B’ housing priority up until your 25th birthday. You would need to register with Homesearch. This would then be your own home (tenancy). You will need to have demonstrated you can live independently and that it would be affordable for you. |
| Private rented – shared house or individual accommodation | This is usually via an estate agent and would mean you have your own private (rather than council) tenancy. You would have a private landlord and need to abide by the tenancy agreement. You would need to make sure this is affordable and that you have the skills to manage independently. |
| Temporary Accommodation | This is only to be considered if you have no other options and are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. You would be considered ‘priority need’ as you are care-experienced. The B&NES Housing Department would assess your needs and offer temporary accommodation whilst a longer-term, more secure option could be identified. |
| Return to family or friends | If you are over 18 you can choose to return to family or live with friends, which we will support you with. |
| Out of BANES Area |
You can register on the housing register with other Local Authorities but may not be given priority (you may also not be exempt from paying council tax). This is more complex as you may not have a ‘local connection’ (or have been in the area long enough). You may need to think about private renting. The Local Authority you live in will need to advise on what options you have and whether they will offer a housing duty to you/what you are eligible to access after you turn 18. |
- We will put in your Pathway Plan what your housing needs are.
- We will advocate for you when speaking with the Local Authority Housing Department, regardless of where you are living.
- Ensure a dedicated Housing Officer works jointly with you and your social worker or personal advisor to identify appropriate housing offers.
- We can refer you for additional tenancy support if required (for example: REACH, Passport to Housing, or Clean Slate – locally – and will think with you about equivalent support if you are living outside of BANES).
- You will be responsible for paying rent either through using your wages or through Universal Credit/Housing Benefit. And you may also be responsible for paying a Service Charge.
- If needed, we will liaise with Adult Social Care to ensure a plan is agreed around your accommodation in advance of you turning 18 (if you have ongoing adult care, care and support needs).
- We can support you to move and help you set up rent and bills.
- With your first tenancy we offer: £150 contribution to support with utility bills, Wi-Fi set up connection, your first year’s TV licence or a Netflix subscription for a year, and a £50 supermarket voucher contribution to a first food shop.
- You are council tax exempt (you don’t pay any council tax) if you live in BANES, up to your 25th birthday.
- If you live outside of the B&NES area, you are entitled to a £150 contribution towards your council tax.
- You have access to £3,000 Leaving Care Grant when you move, which your PA will support you with to buy things to set up your first home.
- If needed, we will apply to Welfare Support (if you are on benefits and in the BANES area), and other charities, to seek support with the cost of ‘white goods’ (such as washing machine, fridge, freezer).
- If you are moving to a new social housing or private rented tenancy, we can provide up to £1,000 contribution towards your first months’ rent and/or deposit. Speak with your PA for this entitlement.
- We can offer to be your Guarantor for 6 months in private rented accommodation if you have demonstrated you have the skills to live independently and manage a tenancy. This is assessed on an individual basis and is offered once, and the offer will need to be accepted by the letting agent.