Accommodation for care leavers

This page is aimed at young people and professionals. It gives an insight into some of the types of accommodation that the 16+ Service provide to young people, through supported lodgings and training flats.

We are able to offer several packages which will hopefully enable young people to successfully move to their independence with a reasonably smooth transition.

Training flats

The 16+ Service has been successful in obtaining flats from various landlords around the city to enable us to provide accommodation to young people wishing to move into independence. We take on the tenancy of either one or two bedroom flats or bedsit flats. This enables a young person to move into independence with a level of support and monitoring.

The young person would normally stay in this type of accommodation for a period of up to six months and will be supported with social skills, budgeting skills and other areas of need that will enable them to gain independence. Alongside the monitoring in the accommodation there will be tenancy support available from both in house and other external agencies.

After the training period and when the young person is perceived to have sufficient skills to move on into independent living, the amount of support which was tailored to their individual needs withdraws and only monitoring continues.

When the young person is eligible (usually just prior to their eighteenth birthday) they move into a Plymouth City Council property, support is then provided by their Personal Advisor who will assist, guide and befriend them.

Supported lodgings

Objectives of the scheme

The Scheme does not seek to replace the young person's family, simply to allow the young person to have a comfortable and supportive home for the period of transition towards independence. When young people move into a supported lodgings placement, it is likely to be a time of considerable change and adjustment for them. Sometimes there will be a 'honeymoon' period before young people are able to be clear about their views and wishes. In any event, it will be very important that everyone involved understands the arrangements and agreements. These arrangements and agreements can be individually tailored to young people’s needs and to the provider’s requirements. All parties will agree whatever is arranged, as the conditions attached to the accommodation.

Providers are responsible for making suitable arrangements for the safekeeping of any of their own valuables and possessions. We advise that it is in the best interests of the provider to avoid entering into any financial agreement with the young person other than those concerned with board and lodgings. For young people aged 16 to 18 years, costs of the placement will be paid by the 16+ Service. For young people aged over 18 years, alternative funding is sought to enable the placement to continue, if this is what the young person wants and the provider is happy for them to stay. Young people who have a disability and receive Disabled Living Allowance will not be expected to contribute any of this allowance towards their placement costs. Additional costs for needs related to disability will be met by Direct Payments or Incapacity Benefit for Young People (IBY). Young people are expected to be in education, training or employment during the placement, or actively seeking the same.

Contact

Regular contact between the provider and the co-ordinator will be maintained in accordance with the Supported Lodgings Scheme policy, derived from National Care Standards for children. The Supported Lodgings Scheme co-ordinator will keep a written record of all contacts, supervision and communications. Both the provider and young person should treat each other with fairness and respect. Providers must contact the young person’s Personal Advisor or Social Worker if they have any concerns. Providers must also tell the supported lodgings co-ordinator that they have contacted the above people. In most circumstances, the provider will inform the young person that they are contacting their Personal Advisor or Social Worker. If neither of these people is available, the provider must contact the supported lodgings co-ordinator, who will refer the concern to the appropriate manager.

Preparation for the placement is essential. Young people will need to know the house rules and daily living routines, and agree that these are acceptable, before they meet the provider. Providers will need to know about the young person’s likes and dislikes, and what support the young person expects to be receiving.

Quality standards of the scheme accommodation

Quality standards of the scheme accommodation must be secure, safe and welcoming providing a homely environment. The young person must have their own bedroom to provide them with privacy and their own space. The accommodation must have access to household facilities, including the lounge, kitchen, laundry equipment, hot water and bathroom. The young person must have a door key. Any exceptions to this must be identified in the written conditions, and reasons set out for why this is necessary. Young people will be offered practical and emotional support by the provider and by their Personal Advisor, as appropriate to their needs. The sharing of information between parties involved will be subject to the requirements of confidentiality and consents as defined by the Data Protection Act and the Human Rights Act as defined by Plymouth City Council policies. Where it is essential for personal information about a young person to be shared with the provider, this will be agreed first with the young person. Managing Risk – essential information for assessing and managing risks that a young person may present to themselves or others, will be recorded in writing and incorporated into the conditions of the accommodation.

Providers and their Personal Advisor will ensure the safety of young people and their protection from exploitation. This is an important aspect of supported lodgings. Therefore, the young person and the provider are expected to have clear agreements on the provider being kept informed about the young person's whereabouts generally, what time they are expected home, overnight stays with friends and relatives, whether they will be home for meals or will make their own arrangements etc. If the young person is the subject of a Care Order, certain rules to promote their safety are likely to be applied. These will be discussed and agreed in full with the young person and the provider. Supported lodgings offer young people a chance to build up their skills ready for when they are going to be living independently. The provider will encourage and support the young person to practice these skills and learn any new skills that are useful for the future – these will be practical, financial and social skills.

Privacy and confidentiality

Providers and young people should respect each other’s rights to privacy and confidentiality eg providers will not open a young person’s mail and if the young person leaves, will forward any (unopened) mail to the 16+ Service.

Personal space that is private and secure is also important – this should be discussed and agreed in the house rules session. Exceptions to confidentiality relate to Child Protection. Where Child Protection information or concerns arise in respect of a young person, the provider must inform the 16+ Service without delay, in accordance with Plymouth City Council’s Multi Agency Child Protection Procedures. The provider will be given further instruction regarding the confidentiality of the concern or information. Other Agencies will become involved when a young person reaches the age of 18 years and claims Housing Benefit and Income Support. Someone from the rent office or benefits agency may ask to visit. You should let the supported lodgings co-ordinator know if this is going to happen and when. If the Youth Offending Team or Probation is supervising a young person, they may also ask to visit. Again, let the supported lodgings co-ordinator know if this is going to happen and when.

Providers of accommodation to young people will be made aware of any records of agreements about any contribution from the young person towards their keep, if they are in paid employment. Arrangements will be regularly reviewed and amended as appropriate to changing circumstances. In general, it is not a good idea for young people and providers to enter into private or informal arrangements, which involve money. For example, the provider is not expected to borrow from, lend or give money to a young person. The young person is expected to be responsible for all of their financial affairs but can of course, be given advice and help to organise their finances, either by the provider or their Personal Advisor. For example, the provider could encourage the young person to set up and maintain regular savings.

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