Housing support and information we give care experienced young people
We will:
- provide you with safe and appropriate housing if you are aged 16 and 17
- give you the option to ‘stay put’ with your foster carers you are aged at least 21 if you are settled in your placement and your foster carers are happy to continue to support you
- ensure you are provided with somewhere suitable for you to live taking into account your needs and wishes
- review your home after 28 days and then at least every three months after that
- provide a Personal Adviser who visits you within a week of moving into your new home, and then visits you at least every two months after that
Types of accommodation
Semi-independent accommodation
Semi-independent accommodation is for young people who require some support to live safely and successfully. If you live in semi-independent accommodation this is likely to be part of a house where you have your own room but share areas such as kitchen, living room and bathroom.
You are also likely to be supported by a keyworker from the accommodation provider who will continue to support you to learn key independence skills and offer advice and guidance when you need it.
Housing association tenancy
A housing association tenancy is a good option for young people who are ready to live on their own and manage their own accommodation at 18. When you are ready to apply for a property provided by a housing association, your Personal Adviser can support you to make the online application. This can happen at age 17 years and 6 months if it is agreed in your Pathway Plan.
The housing association will provide you with a bidding number which then allows you to ‘bid’ on properties in your preferred areas. As a care experienced young people you get priority in housing allocation although you may need to bid on a few properties before you are successful in your application. The Council's Housing Advice Team can also bid on your behalf to make sure your application progresses.
Support for care experienced young people with a housing association tenancy
Your Personal Advisers will support you to ensure your tenancy is set up properly.
This will include:
- helping you to register with utility companies for electricity, gas and water so that you can pay your bills
- ensuring housing benefit is in place (if you are claiming this)
- changing addresses with relevant organisations such as your doctor or dentist, or registering with new ones if necessary
You will be given a grant to enable you to purchase furniture and goods such as a washing machine and fridge/freezer for your home. Your Personal Adviser will supervise how this money is spent.
Your Personal Adviser can put you in touch with organisations who offer support to buy second-hand furniture and electrical goods, as well as making sure you have the right support to move your belongings to your new home.
Housing advice and options
Alongside your Personal Advisers or Social Worker, the Council's Housing Advice Team will give you advice on tenancy rights and responsibilities. They will also offer support and advice on:
- having a good relationship with your landlord
- your legal rights, such as signing and understanding contracts and what your landlord can and cannot do
- what to do if things are going wrong, such as managing debts, reducing arrears and claiming the right benefits
- mediation and relationship breakdowns
Get in touch with the Housing Advice Team
Call on 01234 718058 and you can receive immediate advice. Lines are open: Monday to Thursday 8.45am-5.15pm and 8.45am-5pm on a Friday.
Or you can email the Housing Advice Team at housingadvice@bedford.gov.uk with details of your situation and they will reply with advice.
You should not wait until a crisis to ask for help or advice. We know you may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed, but if you think you are at risk of losing your home, the Housing Advice Team will be able to advise you of your legal rights and may be able to help you look at ways in which you can stay in your home.
You can also get independent housing advice from:
- Citizens Advice Bedford at 8 Harper Centre, Bedford, MK40 1TP. 01234 867944.
- Shelter 0808 800 4444
- Staying Put with your foster carer if you have been living in foster care and this is what both you and your foster carer wants. You are able to remain living with your foster carer until you reach the age of 21 (see below).
Staying Put
Bedford Borough Council wants you to support you to make the step into independent living at the pace that is right for you. Discussions about the different options for your plans and accommodation will start happening before you turn 18 to make sure we are finding the best solutions possible.
Staying Put is an arrangement between you and your foster carers, which allows you to remain living with them until up to the age of 21 if everyone agrees this is the best plan. Bedford Borough Council has a policy for Staying Put arrangements, which outlines the process, requirements, finances and any implications.
There are options to remain living with your foster carer following your 21st birthday, and this can be discussed in your Pathway Plan, however this is not considered a duty for us, but an arrangement between yourself and your foster carer. If you wish to discuss the options please contact your Personal Advisor or Social Worker.
Shared Lives
If you are 16 or above and have a disability you can be supported to remain living with your foster carer for your future, this is called Shared Lives.
Your foster carer then becomes your Shared Lives carer, and you can remain living with them as long as this is agreed between you both.
Find out more on our Shared Lives page.