Your House
We understand how important it is to feel safe and secure in your home. The Care Leavers Team are committed to helping you live in suitable accommodation. As you transition into adulthood, we’ll support you in managing your housing needs.
While your local council holds overall responsibility for providing housing to care leavers, we’ll work closely with them to ensure your needs are met.
There are different types of housing available. Your social worker and LCSO will talk through your options with you when you all agree you’re ready to take that step. We’ll help you find the right accommodation to suit your needs and support you every step of the way. Your social worker will help you speak with your local housing department to explore your options for independent living. We’ll also work with your support network, local housing teams and private landlords to help you find a suitable place to live.
We know that moving out of care and into your own place can feel overwhelming or lonely. That’s why we’ll work with you to make sure you’re fully prepared for independent living—and only when you feel ready. If you need to move, we’ll guide you through your options and help you plan each step. We will keep offering support until you feel settled and confident in your new home.
From age 17, your social worker will help you apply to the Newcastle housing register. If you’re an asylum-experienced young person, your eligibility will depend on your immigration status. If you live outside of Newcastle you can still apply to the Newcastle register, or choose to register with the housing department in your current area. We strongly encourage all young people to join the Newcastle housing register at 17 to help prepare for independence. Your social worker or Leaving Care Support Officer (LCSO) will support you through the process. In certain circumstances, you will be given priority banding in Newcastle as you are a care leaver.
With the recent changes in legislation, care leavers will not need a local connection to apply for housing in other authorities, though this is not the same as priority banding, and it may still be very difficult to get local authority housing in high demand places.
If we think you might need additional help, we can refer you to the Young People’s Support and Progression Services, also called ‘YPS’. YPS can help you with housing and provide support alongside your LCSO around your independent living skills. They are part of Newcastle City Council’s wider offer for young people, work with LCSOs closely, and will provide priority support for care leavers.
https://www.newcastlehomes.org.uk/content/HousingOptions/YoungPeople
Once you’re living independently, your LCSO will visit your accommodation to make sure it’s suitable and that you’re doing well. You can always reach out to your LCSO for advice or support.
What are my options?
As a care leaver, everything is available to you that would be for any young person. However, because you are a care leaver there might be some extra.
