We want to create brighter futures for care-experienced young people, aged 16-17. One way of doing this is through the introduction of a new supported lodgings scheme with Depaul UK. This heart-warming initiative places young individuals with volunteer host families, offering a safe environment to pursue their studies and achieve success.

It is an opportunity for a host family to provide a safe and stable environment for a young person aged 16-17. The host family supports and enables a young person to complete their education or training and prepare for independent living.

Who are the young people accessing this service?

The young people accessing the service have previously care- experienced, are homeless an unaccompanied asylum-seeker aged 16 – 17 years. Being a Supported Lodging host gives the young person the opportunity to stay with a host family and this experience can be their steppingstone to a brighter future.

Becoming a Supported Lodgings Host

Each young person will stay with their host for a minimum of six months and is expected to transition on to independent accommodation within a year.

The young person will have their own bedroom and share the rest of the facilities with the household.

The support will differ for each young person, depending on their previous experience. You could help a young person to cook their first meal, encourage them to apply for their first job, or sit with them and provide a listening ear. Each host will be matched with the young person by professionals.

What can you expect from us?

Each host family will receive regular ongoing support and weekly rental payments to aid them in covering the costs associated with hosting:

full training and regular ongoing support
regular contact with your designated supported lodgings coordinator
weekly rental payment and expenses to cover all costs
access to peer support with other hosts
a life enhancing experience from providing invaluable support
24-hour on-call service to ensure that help and advice is readily available outside of regular office hours

What do we need from you?

a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for a young person to live
a spare room for a young person to use as their own
basic emotional support through listening and talking
basic practical support with household duties, independent skills
work with support staff at Depaul to provide holistic support

More information about becoming a supported lodging host can be found on the Depaul website. Alternatively, you can contact the coordinator by phone or email:

Care leavers

Care leaver offer

Cheshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership

Supported Lodgings Host for young people

Housing

Housing advice for care leavers