Kirsty Edwards, age 43, lives in Parkstone near Poole, and has been a Supported Lodgings provider for three years.
Thomas* came to live with her three years ago, after arriving in the country at age 16 as an unaccompanied child.
Originally from Africa, he has lived with Kirsty and her family for the past three years and has built a great relationship with her birth children – two boys, now aged 11 and 13.
Kirsty was a single parent who worked, and opening her home to a teenager worked well with her lifestyle as she could provide the level of care needed for an older child who is more independent.
Her mum provided Supported Lodgings for 10 years which also inspired Kirsty to make the decision and she felt it would be beneficial for her children to have an older teenager in the home.
Kirsty said, “He's really found his feet while living with us and is very much a part of the family.
“Although there have been cultural differences between us, the boys all get on well. My children and I have been able to support him as he’s adjusted to life in the UK.
Supported Lodging helps young people find their feet as they transition to adulthood and allows them to develop key life skills in a safe and loving home environment. Now aged 19, Thomas is ready for the next step, and importantly he has Kirsty and her family behind him for support.
Kirsty said, “It has been wonderful watching him grow and his English has developed so quickly. When he arrived at 16 it was important that I set boundaries, like with any teenager, but over time some of these have been relaxed as he has grown up.
“He can sometimes be quite stubborn, and it has been great to see him listen to advice, then go away and reflect on it, before coming to his own informed decisions. He is ready for the next step now, and we are here to help him if he needs us.”
We asked Kirsty what she would say to someone considering becoming a Supported Lodgings provider, she said; “Make sure your family is on-board and that Supported Lodgings will fit with your family set-up. I have found the experience really rewarding. It is wonderful to watch them grow and find their feet.”
If you have a spare room and want to make a real difference to a young person leaving care, then Supported Lodgings is a great option. Many of our young people, aged between 16-25, are ready to take the next steps towards independence but are not quite ready to live alone and need the safety net of a room to go back to and someone to offer advice.
We are looking for more people in Dorset to open their homes to young people aged 16-25. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and walks of life and will support you every step of the way.
As a Supported Lodgings provider, you will receive:
a weekly payment ranging from £130 per week
rent and contribution towards utilities from the young person
training and extensive support
an allocated Support Worker
If you would like to know more, please contact Fostering Enquiries on 01305 221482 or www.fosterwithdorsetcouncil.com/supported-lodgings
Categories: Children's Services Fostering stories
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