You may want to live away from home when you are 18 years or over. If you need help and support to live away from home, you will benefit from an assessment from a social worker.
Support
The social worker will talk to you and find out what help/support you need.
This might be:
- information/advice, or someone to talk to, about keeping your home and looking after yourself
- someone to come to your home and help with activities of daily living, such as washing/choosing clothing/shopping and cooking/getting out and about
- somewhere different to live. This might be with or without other young people around you
- someone to help you in your new home, some or all of the time
Housing options
There are different housing options available locally. Some options have support included and some don’t.
The accommodation options include:
- supported accommodation (if you are aged 16 to 24 years) - this is when someone comes into a house to help you. You could ask to move in with a group of young people with some support staff or live on your own with support staff visiting
- care homes – for anyone over the age of 18 years who cannot live independently, either temporarily or in the long term
- shared lives - carers provide support in their own home, sharing their family life
- extra care housing - this is usually for older adults, but some schemes may support younger people with a physical or learning disability
- renting, for example you could rent:
- a room - some people offer rooms in their own home
- a whole property via a private landlord.
Residential care for adults will give you more information on local options.
It is up to you to decide what type you want. This will depend on:
- what your needs are
- if you can live independently
- the accommodation available
Additional support
If you have a social worker, they will be able to help/advise you on your housing options.
Accommodation for care leavers – this link will give you more information on youth homelessness. It will also give some information on available financial support.
Youth homelessness – information for young people/adults at risk of homelessness.