Help with accommodation / housing
We will encourage you to stay in care until you are 18 . Most young people still live at home with their families until their early 20 ’ s . We want to help you be well prepared for when you live independently and there are a variety of accommodation types and services that can support you with this .
If you choose to leave care before age 18 , the law says we must ensure that you have suitable accommodation .
We know how important it is that you know where you will live once you leave care . Your Personal Adviser / Leaving Care Worker will discuss options with you . We will consider your age ; personal circumstances ; your wishes ; and your needs as set out in your Pathway Plan . Your Personal Adviser / Leaving Care Worker will help you to find suitable accommodation and provide support to you as you move on . We know that everybody is an individual and is ready for independence at different times .
Options :
• If this is what you and your foster carers want , we will support you to remain with your foster carers under a ‘ Staying Put ’ arrangement until you are 21
• Semi independence is a type of supported accommodation which can help you develop the skills to live independently .
• Support to identify and access different independent housing options .
We will encourage you to register with your local Housing Department from the age of 18 . This does not mean you will definitely receive a social housing offer . The majority of young people will be supported into private rented accommodation when they are ready for independence .
We are working together with housing services to strengthen our corporate parenting response to care leavers housing needs . You can find more details in Ealing ’ s Joint Protocol for Leaving Care and Housing from August 2021 .
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