Being prepared
We will effectively support you to be prepared and ready to live in your own accommodation and to thrive as a young adult.
This includes:
- developing the practical skills and the networks of support you will need
- having accessible and clear information regarding your accommodation options
We will work with you so you move at the right time and when there is evidence that you can manage your own tenancy with some support.
Securing suitable and affordable accommodation
We will help you access the most secure form of accommodation available to you.
We will also promote opportunities for you to remain close to:
- support networks
- education, training and work
- the significant relationships you have
The council commits to allocating an agreed quota of social housing in the borough to care experienced young people.
This increases the opportunity for you to:
- remain in the borough
- be part of the local community
- access local services
- feel settled and secure with affordable rent
The accommodation panel run jointly between Children’s Services and Housing (with the participation of relevant partners) will continue to be a clear and transparent process for administering the quota.
We will work with suitable private landlords to support you in accessing these tenancies where that is the appropriate route for you. We will provide the deposit and first month’s rent and act as a guarantor where necessary.
If you have more specialist housing needs, we will make sure these needs are understood properly and inform your housing plan, which we will put together with you.
Settling, safety and belonging
We will help you establish a comfortable and safe home environment to support you in feeling settled and secure. We will assist you in accessing local networks and services and help you to feel connected to your community.
We will promote a good quality of housing and neighbourhood to live in. Any complaints are dealt with promptly and fairly, your voice is heard, and you are treated with respect.
We will make sure you are clear about your rights as a tenant and your landlord’s responsibilities, including who is responsible for repairs and maintenance.
We will work with you to equip you with access to the relevant information, supporting you to escalate issues and communicate using the appropriate channels where required.
Through the life of your tenancy, you may wish to step onto the homeownership ladder and we will provide you with options and support to access these wherever you can.
Sustainment, consultation and improvement
We will work with you at the earliest point, in partnership with your landlord, if things get difficult and you need practical help or emotional support to successfully maintain your tenancy.
We will link you to the right support and information to reduce and address risk of arrears and debt.
We commit to a continuous cycle of consultation and development with you to improve your experience of moving on to live interdependently as an adult. We will review and develop our joint housing processes informed by this.