Some of our young people aged 16 to 18 want to live independently but aren't ready for house-shares or private rentals. Supported lodgings act as a stepping stone to independence.
Our young lodgers come from diverse backgrounds and may be leaving care or cannot live at home due to issues affecting their welfare.
What our carers do
Supported lodgings carers offer a young person:
- a safe and comfortable homely environment
- a private room with access to shared areas such as a kitchen, bathroom and living room
- time to develop their practical life skills such as budgeting and household management
- support to access education, training or work
- moral support and mentoring in meetings, appointments and form-filling
- the safety to build confidence and resilience to thrive in the adult world, including looking for new accommodation when the young person is ready
What our carers get back
In return for hosting one of our young people, carers have costs and expenses covered such as:
- rent
- service charges such as utilities and council tax
- other support costs such as food or meals
The young person may also contribute to costs depending on their circumstances and eligibility for benefits and other financial support.
Supported lodgings are a specialist type of foster care. This means you get the same comprehensive support package as all other foster carers, including:
- dedicated supervising social worker
- specialist training
- financial allowances (tax-free)
- 24/7 helpline
You also benefit from additional support from other professionals in the leaving care team, when needed.
What’s involved in becoming a carer
To make the most of life, every young person needs to feel a sense of belonging and feel the safety of supportive adults by their side.
Supported lodgings hosts go through a 5-step suitability and approval process before being matched to a young person.
As you will be working with vulnerable young people, the process will include (but is not limited to):
- providing personal and professional references
- passing criminal records checks
- undertaking a home viability and risk assessment
- complete training covering safeguarding, equality and diversity, health and safety and first aid
- learning to work with other professionals that support the young person such as educators, employers, youth workers, support workers or other leaving care professionals
Eligibility
To become a supported lodgings carer, you must be:
- over 21 years of age
- have a spare room
- be a full-time resident of the UK or have leave to remain
- have time to provide consistent support over a 1 or 2 year period
- live in or within 20 miles of Bracknell, Crowthorne, Sandhurst, Binfield, Winkfield or Warfield
You can be single, married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting.
You may also be living with your children in rented accommodation or in your own home.
You can work full-time, part-time, or even when retired.
Pets are also not a barrier.
Ideally, you will have some experience working with young people. Ultimately, you will enjoy helping young people who may not have experienced the best start in life.