Your Home

One of the most important decisions we must agree with you as a Young Adult leaving our care is where you are going to live, as it is especially important that wherever you live, is safe, feels like a home and stable.  

Moving to live on your own is a massive step; it's not just about paying bills and cooking your own food. It's also about staying healthy and getting on with your neighbours and having a job to ensure you can sustain your lifestyle and home. This is why in West Berkshire; we will encourage you to stay living with the carers you know or in supported living until you are practically and emotionally ready and able to successfully live fully independently and have options for you.  

Staying Put

Staying Put is where a care experienced young person continues to live with their foster carer after their 18th birthday. All local authorities must support these arrangements if it is in the young person's best interest and the carer, and the young person want it to happen. It means you can continue to live with people you know and can stay there until you are ready or 21 years old.

• This arrangement will be supported and monitored by West Berkshire Council as outlined here.

Supported living/lodgings

• Supported accommodation - a shared house or flat, where you have your own room but share some facilities with other young people and receive support from a designated key worker.
• Supported lodgings - sharing with an adult (host) who will be there to help and support you if you need it, to live independently in their home.

The key worker/supported lodging hosts will work with you alongside your personal advisor to increase your confidence and independence skills to prepare you for living fully independently. When you are 19 we will review your plans and support you to move on if ready.

Housing offer and support

Your personal advisor (PA) will speak with you about moving to independent accommodation and together you will decide when this is right for you.

Independent housing can mean different things, but usually it means that you will have to sign a tenancy or license agreement and are responsible for paying rent, utility bills, and council tax; being a good neighbour; and keeping the accommodation clean and in good repair.

It is important that you can manage all the above before considering moving to independent living. When the time is right for you, your personal adviser and Housing Services will help you find somewhere safe and suitable to live.

Your legal status as a 'Care Leaver' gives you the right to be accepted on to the housing register, in an area you have a local connection to, you will be automatically placed on band B and can then bid for social housing when you are ready, OR you may wish to look for private rental accommodation.

You may need some evidence to show your PA, Housing Officer or Landlord, such as proof that you have been paying your service charge, have kept to your staying put agreement or licence agreement (if you were in supported accommodation), and can manage appointments and other commitments. They will also need to see that you have been a good neighbour by not creating too much noise, that you can keep yourself safe and know how to respond to an emergency.