Housing and accommodation
Housing and accommodation that is available for Care Leavers
As you get closer to 18, we will talk to you about the different types of housing and accommodation that are available to best meet your needs.
We have developed a more detailed booklet about accommodation pathways – read the Housing Guide for Care Leavers.
Skills4Life
This is a group programme you will need to attend in order for us to nominate you to eventually move into your accommodation.
Skills4life is a 2-day programme designed to support young people's journey to independence. Over the course of these 2 days, we look to support young people to learn more about:
- finances
- housing
- health
- personal safety
- advocacy
- employment/training opportunities.
‘MyBnk’ are a training provider who run a course specifically on money management, this includes, group work and discussion which encourages our young people to share their own experiences and views.
Skills4life offers an opportunity for young people to ask questions and to learn more about their next steps towards independence. Skills4life is intended to support ‘Children ‘looked after’ (CLA) and Care Leavers (CL) who are moving towards independent living/ final stage accommodation.
You should ask your Social Worker or Personal Adviser (PA) to nominate you onto the programme.
Staying Put
For those young people who have been living in a foster placement there may be the opportunity to continue living with their foster carer beyond their 18th birthday. If you are continuing to stay with your foster carer it will be because you still need quite a lot of support for a variety of reasons; a semi-independent living place has been recommended or identified but is not quite ready for you; or you’re continuing in education. This will no longer be a foster placement but a “Staying Put” arrangement. If you stay with your carer you will be expected to contribute to the costs of your room in the same way that you would if you were living in a hostel or your own accommodation.
Semi Independent Accommodation
Semi-independent accommodation is generally provided through hostels either managed by us (Kensington & Chelsea) or a housing association. To access these, you will have been referred to the Semi-Independent Accommodation Review Group (SIARG) by your Social Worker or personal adviser.
Members of SIARG will interview you and your Social worker in order to decide what type of accommodation you need. The majority of places offered by SIARG are within Kensington and Chelsea. However, for some young people remaining in the Borough will not be possible for a variety of reasons. In such circumstances you will be offered another hostel outside of the Borough.
When you live in semi-independent accommodation, we will support you to develop your independence skills, preparing you for independent living. This kind of accommodation is only available to those who are aged 16+.
When you live in semi-independent accommodation you will have your own, lockable room but may have to share other facilities such as kitchen and bathroom. There will be key workers at the accommodation who are there to work with you to achieve your independence goals.
Independent Living
When you are ready, we will support you to secure independent accommodation. Usually, this will be a studio or one bedroom flat whereby you have signed a tenancy or license agreement meaning that you are responsible for paying rent, being a good neighbour and keeping the accommodation clean, tidy and in a good condition.
When this decision is made you can apply to be included on the Borough’s housing register, after which you can bid for properties included on the register.
Care leavers in Kensington and Chelsea are afforded a priority status for social housing and you can expect that you will be able to move into your own home within 12 months of being nominated onto the register.