Thinking about where you might live
When you turn 16, your Personal Adviser will talk with you about the different places you could live in the future. This helps you start thinking about where you might live when you turn 18.
We encourage all care leavers to stay in a supported place to live until they feel ready to live on their own. Your Personal Adviser will help you understand what options are available and what would work best for you and your needs.
For supported accommodation, once you are over 18 you will need to pay rent. You will also usually pay towards things like water and electricity, and in some places you may also pay for food.
We have a duty to help you find somewhere to live and to support you as you move into adult life.
We will:
- provide a range of suitable places to live if you are under 18
- make sure you can access suitable accommodation once you turn 18
- help you find supported accommodation, including emergency accommodation, to help prevent homelessness – this support is available for care leavers up to age 25
Independent living
When you turn 18, you can legally have your own tenancy. This means the place you live is in your name, and you are responsible for paying the rent and bills. We will make sure you are supported and prepared for this. You can still get help from your Personal Adviser or other accommodation support.
If you are a care leaver aged 18 or over, you may be able to get a Setting Up Home Allowance (SUHA). This is sometimes called the Leaving Care Grant and can be up to £3,000. It can help you buy things you need for your home, like furniture, a fridge, a cooker and bedding. Your Personal Adviser will help you with this.
Getting ready for your own tenancy
All of the accommodation providers mentioned above can help you build skills for having your own place. This includes training through Thrive 16+.
One of the training courses is called ASDAN. Completing this can help show future landlords that you have the right skills and attitude to manage your own home and pay your bills.
Speak to your worker or the staff where you live to find out more. The Leaving Care Team also offers Preparation for Adult Living and ASDAN courses to support you.
Managing your home
We can give you practical help when you move into your new home and when you are getting it ready to live in. We can also help you apply for Housing Benefit and Universal Credit, if you are eligible.
Being a tenant
Your Leaving Care Worker (and supported housing staff, if involved) will give you advice about being a tenant. This includes help with:
- paying rent and Council Tax
- paying bills
- budgeting and managing your money
We know having your own place for the first time can feel hard. We will do everything we can to help and reduce the pressure.
If you have a housing crisis, we can support you. This includes help if you are at risk of losing your tenancy or if you do lose it.
Council Tax
If you are being asked to pay for Council Tax then talk to us. If you are a care leaver aged 18 to 21, you may be exempt from paying Council Tax.
Ask your Leaving Care Worker to help you with this.