Care leavers

Foster care - Staying Put

If you are in foster care you may choose to continue to live with your foster family. Your social worker will discuss this option with your carers and if they are agreeable a request for this will be made by your social worker around your sixteenth birthday. Foster care payments would cease, however an alternative financial arrangement would be made, with former foster parents becoming ‘staying put’ providers. The ‘provider’ would then play a role in your pathway plan, and help prepare you for the transition into more independent accommodation.

Council and housing association homes

Council and housing association homes are also known as ‘social housing’ and are usually cheaper than renting privately. If you are interested in renting a council or housing association property you must firstly register with West Cheshire Homes to find out if you are eligible. You can register online via the West Cheshire Homes website. Once you are registered West Cheshire Homes will notify you if you have been accepted and what band you are in. The greater your housing need, the higher band you will be awarded.

Renting privately

Renting from the private rented sector is a good option because you can claim housing benefit and be exempt from the shared accommodation rate until the age of 22. You can look for private rented housing through estate agents, letting agencies or by searching online. If you are renting you may need to pay a deposit of one month’s rent. The Council offers a Bond Scheme to assist people who wish to rent privately. Contact the Housing Options team for more information.

Supported housing

Supported housing may be an option if you need some support but also want some independence. It can mean that you get support in your home which is called ‘floating support’ or that you live in a supported housing scheme to get the level of support that you need. Further information on floating can be found on the Forfutures website.

Supported housing services offer low, medium and high levels of support and may have a time limit on how long you can stay there. Often accommodation is self-contained but you may share communal areas such the lounge, utilities and garden. You can live independently, but there should be 24 hour emergency help available if you need it.

Going to University

If you are attending university your social worker and personal advisor will have discussed with you prior to your start date the housing options available to you. The leaving care team will pay for your accommodation 52 weeks per year. This will usually be at the local housing benefit rate unless there are exceptional circumstances.