Housing options and support
We have a booklet about your housing choices and the support you can get. Your personal advisor will go through it with you from age 16.
Email LeavingCareTeam@southend.gov.uk to ask for a copy.
When you turn 18, your housing options fall into two different types:
- transitional housing
- settled housing
Transitional housing
This is a home with extra support. The support will help you get ready to live on your own.
This could be:
- staying put - where you stay with your former foster carer or with family until you are 21
- supported accommodation - with different levels of support depending on your needs
Settled housing
This is a longer-term home where you live on your own. We may still help with things such as money, but you will manage your home each day.
This could be:
- social housing - if you are ready to live on your own
- private rented housing - if it is affordable and suitable for you
- home ownership - where this is a suitable and affordable option
How you access these options will depend on the type of accommodation. Your personal advisor will work with you and other Council services to help you access the option that is suitable for you.
This may include:
- your personal advisor helping to arrange staying put
- referrals for supported accommodation
- joining the council housing register and bidding for social homes
- looking for a suitable and affordable private rented home