Accommodation (your home)

One of the most important things to agree with you when leaving care is where you are going to live. We also want to ensure that you are safe and it feels like a home.

Before you reach 18 you and your social worker consider the options for where you will live after you turn 18. They will make sure this is captured in your Pathway Plan along with what support you will need.
Your Personal Adviser will also help you through their regular visits with you and arranging any contact in between as required.
We will always try to make sure that you are living in the area you want to be in. We will try to avoid or minimise any disruption to your education if you are moving, and that your accommodation is safe and kept to a good standard for you.

There are different options available in Peterborough for you:

If this is what you and your foster carers want, you can be supported to remain living with them after you reach 18, up to the age of 21, under what is called a ‘Staying Put’ arrangement.

Staying Put can be a good option if you are living away for university or on a training programme away from home.

The local authority will support the arrangement financially alongside you claiming Housing Benefit where possible. Depending on your financial circumstances you may need to contribute towards the cost of living there.

This is perhaps a shared house or self-contained flat that has staff who support you. This is usually 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They will help you improve your independent living skills and access education, employment and training.

It is provided by several different organisations and is generally for young people aged 16-25 year old.

You would have your own furnished room but may share facilities such as bathroom, kitchen, lounge, and laundry with other young people.

This is where you rent a property from a landlord directly or through a letting agency. Private landlords may not accept people who are receiving benefits or in college for example. They will also usually ask for someone to be a guarantor (agree to pay the rent) in case there are difficulties with you paying it.

You will usually sign a tenancy agreement for 6 to 12 months. You can find out with the help of your Personal Adviser if you are eligible for care leaver higher rate of housing benefit. You can also get help with the deposit or first month’s rent.

What help will I have?

100% Peterborough Council Tax discount.

This is easy to apply for and will be in place until you are 25. (Our offer for Young People living in other local authority areas under development – Local Offer Phase 2).

If you are aged 18-21, your Personal Adviser will get details of your address and income from you, complete the form needed and submit to secure your discount.
If you are aged between 21-25, your Personal Adviser will advise the council tax team of your eligibility. This team will then contact you and deal with the application on your behalf. The process is quick, and your discount will be secured.

New home

Setting up your first home allowance of £3000 (spent with the support of your Personal Adviser).
First TV licence paid for.
A first shop of essential items such as cleaning products and main food items when you move into your first fully independent accommodation.
Deposit and first month rent – your Personal Adviser will make sure this is in your Pathway Plan should you need help with either of these.
The local authority can act as your corporate parent rent guarantors provided you are able to afford your rent.

Moving and settling in

If you need a good quality bag to help move your belongings your Personal Adviser will make sure you have a suitcase or similar. We partner with 'Comfort Cases' in Peterborough.
Help to move your belongings into independent accommodation – maybe van or car hire depending on what you need.
Support for your first move. In the first week – your Personal Adviser can assist with the basics of the property including sorting utilities such as electricity and gas, and explaining how rent and benefits work.
Wi-Fi - if you don’t have access via your accommodation or phone, we can support to get this in place for you.

Advice and support

Advice about being successful with your tenancy and avoiding problems with rent and bills as well as staying healthy and getting on with your neighbours!
Awareness and access to local courses, designed for young people, that teach you about independent living skills alongside the support from your Personal Adviser.