I am a care leaver, what are my housing options?

Pages in I am a care leaver, what are my housing options?

  1. 1. You are here: I am a 16-17 year old care leaver
  2. 2. I am an 18+ year old care leaver
  3. 3. Advice for all care leavers
  4. 4. My care placement has broken down

1. I am a 16-17 year old care leaver

Key advice: if you are under 18, Social Services may be able to help you find accommodation until you turn 18.

If you have:

  • Already left care
  • Spent a total of at least 13 weeks in care since the age of 14 and part of that time in care was while you were 16 or 17 (It doesn’t matter if the 13 weeks were not all at the same time)

You will be entitled to help, including somewhere to live, call us on 01737 276 790 or Surrey County Council (Social Services) on 0300 123 1620 for advice.

Surrey Social Services operate a care leaving service where you are also issued with a pathway plan which covers your housing options.

You have different rights if you have spent less than a total of 13 weeks in care, or if you want to leave care before your 16th birthday.

Visit the Shelter website or speak to your local Citizens Advice website for further advice.

Help with housing

  • It is important you start to think about your future housing prior to leaving your care placement. This will give you enough time to work with the Council to help you find accommodation.
  • Any accommodation provided by the Council should be suitable for you.
  • It is unlikely, but in some cases you may be offered a place in foster care or a children’s home.
  • Ask your personal housing adviser to help you if you have problems in your accommodation.
  • You should also apply to join the Housing Register as early as possible to build up time on the waiting list.
  • You can call the Council on 01737 276 790 or your personal adviser for further advice.

Financial support

Most 16-17 year old care leavers are not eligible for benefits. The local Social Services that you are working with must help you by:

  • Providing housing or helping you find and keep your own place
  • Supporting you financially by paying you enough for your rent, food, bills, travel costs doe education and training, clothing, pocket money and childcare if you need it
  • Giving you any other support you need, such as help with continuing your education, finding work or dealing with personal problems
  • You can usually only claim benefits if you are 16 or 17-year-old care leaver and you are also a single parent or unable to work because of disability or illness.
  • You can find out more about benefit rules for care leaves on the Turn2Us website.