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Office and phone line closures during festive bank holidays

Our offices and phone lines will be closed between 25-27 December and 1 January. For emergencies please check our out of hours numbers.

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Setting up your home

There are many options available to you and your leaving care advisor will support you to decide which is right for you.

Options available to you

Living in supported accommodation

We work closely with our partners across the city to offer accommodation with either self-contained facilities (your own bedroom, kitchen and bathroom) or shared facilities (you may share a kitchen and bathroom with other young people). Wherever you live, you will always have your own space. You will also have a key worker and access to activities to gain independent living skills and education employment & training for moving onto independent living.

Staying with your foster parents

If you would like to remain with your foster parents, we can talk about whether Staying Put arrangements are right for you. This is a very successful scheme that means you will continue to live with your foster parents after your 18th birthday and get their support to develop your independent living skills for when you are ready to move onto independent living.

Living independently

When you are ready, we will support you to find your own home in the city. This is usually through our housing register (where you will receive priority banding) or we can help you to find a home through private landlords.

Living with shared lives carers

Shared lives carers offer their home and support to adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems or other needs. This means you will continue to receive the support of living with others into your adult life.

Support and advice

Whatever you decide, your leaving care advisor will be available to offer support and advice. We have a dedicated website outlining our housing help for care experienced adults, which includes:

  • Awarding you priority 1 banding, which means you are deemed a high priority applicant on our housing waiting lists. Your leaving care advisor will help you to complete your housing application when you a ready.
  • Help with rent – we will offer a 100% council tax discount regardless of where you live.
  • Advice about holding down a tenancy, including avoiding rent or council tax arrears, paying bills and budgeting.
  • Working with our department of work and pensions champion to help you claim for the benefits you are entitled to.
  • Practical support with moving into and furnishing your home, including a financial grant and decorating.
  • Supporting you if you have a housing crisis.
  • Supporting with your bills – Your leaving care advisor can help you talk with your utility companies (gas, electric and water) to install key card meters to help you manage your finances better.
  • Regular visits from your leaving care advisor, and regular reviews through your pathway plan.
  • Working with our housing teams to offer dedicated practical support from experts if and when you need it.