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As a young person comes up to the age of 18, they will be fully supported by the Leaving Care Team to consider their future and especially their housing needs. This process starts early so that everyone can plan in advance and to ensure we are flexible at providing support in a way that it is needed. There are a range of housing options for those leaving care and discussions should take place to make this a less scary step forward and so that decisions taken can be well informed.
Staying put is the preferred option for young people in foster care. Where the young person and the fostering household agree to continue to live together this is known as a 'Staying put arrangement' and is supported by the local authority,
Dorset supports the notion of staying close and will seek to provide accommodation for those in residential care to remain within the same local community to enable established supportive relationships to continue.
For young people with disabilities who have been looked after by the Local Authority, who transition from Children’s to Adults services, this is an option to live within a family environment. You can register to become a shared lives carer here.
This option provides for those who are leaving care to live within a family household other than Staying Put, with an individualised support arrangement.
Generally, this is accommodation shared with other young people and support staff on site or visiting, with various levels of support being offered to help an individual get ready to live independently by coaching them to learn the skills and knowledge necessary.
Dorset Council Housing Service has a nominations agreement arrangement with local registered social landlords that advertise properties through the Dorset Council Home Choice scheme. Its Corporate Parenting Responsibility allowed Care Leavers to be placed in the ‘High Housing Need’ band, giving priority for social housing lettings along with other people with high housing needs.
Some young people will have maintained or renewed contact with family during their care experience. For some, the circumstances will have significantly changed, and it may be appropriate for Care Leavers to live with family members. Subject to assessment and agreement from all parties, Children’s Services will support this move where it is in the young person’s best interests.
Shared ownership properties are an option where a young person has a lump sum that they can use either as a deposit for a property or, if it is small, as a shared ownership property. Shared ownership properties are where the individual part rents and part buys a property and can, over time, increase the amount that they own.
Dorset Nightstop provides safe, secure emergency accommodation for Dorset young people aged 16-25 (18-25 in Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Emergency accommodation is the absolute last resort and should only be used when all other attempts have been made to source suitable accommodation. Emergency accommodation may be offered by Housing Services following a housing options interview.
- probationary/assured tenancies: Social landlords will initially offer a 12-month probationary tenancy to all new tenants, which if successful will then convert to an assured tenancy (lifetime tenancy)
- fixed term tenancies
- private landlords may offer: 0 to 6 month assured shorthold tenancies
- 12-month fixed term (or longer)
- licence agreements
- lodging agreements
- tied accommodation tenancies (with a job)
Care Leavers will be prioritised in the appropriate band as determined by Dorset Council’s housing allocation policy. They will require evidence that they are ready to live independently prior to being banded.
Dorset Council works with Registered Providers in the local area to provide Social Housing. There is a high probability that suitable accommodation may be available or offered in the private rented sector.