Where do I live?

Where to live

There are many choices you could make about where to live. Your leaving care worker will work with you and your accomodation provider to support you.

Options available to you

If you are under 18, we must pay for your housing and make sure it is suitable. 

A move to independent living can be a big step so we can give you options, such as:

  • returning home for a short time
  • remaining with a foster carer
  • moving to supported lodgings
  • a supported living option

Once you are over 18 you are responsible for paying for your housing. However, we will support you:

  • if you remain in higher education, we will pay for accommodation during holidays
  • we will maintain a plan of support with you and make sure  accommodation and your housing is a priority
  • if you get into difficulty we will support you in negotiating agreements with housing providers to keep your accommodation and agree a positive way forward
  • if you cannot afford the difference (rent gap) between rent and your earnings, you can apply for rent gap funding from the leaving care service to support you

We will help fund all former relevent care leavers set up home. You can access this up to the age of 25. Discuss this with the leaving care service.

Living in supported lodgings:

Supported lodgings gives you the chance to live in a home with a supportive adult or family. You can do this from age 16 to 21. They should:

  • have great communication skills
  • offer a safe and friendly environment
  • be able to relate to you
  • be supportive of your needs
  • be open-minded and approachable
  • provide an individual room and use of shared facilities along with a house key
  • involve you in day-to-day tasks

Staying with your foster parents:

A staying put arrangement is not the same as a foster placement. It is where you can remain with your former foster carers after your 18 birthday. You can stay until you are 21. 
We will discuss staying put as an option. We will expect you to:

  • be in education, employment or training
  • contribute towards your living costs
  • pay for your clothes, travel costs and spending money
  • create a living together agreement, saying what is expected from both of you
  • have to have a DBS check, if your former foster carer is looking after other children in the same household
  • claim any benefits you are entitled to

Whatever you decide, your leaving care worker can provide support with:

  • becoming a high-priority applicant on housing waiting lists
  • advice about tenancy, budgeting and avoiding rent arrears
  • helping you to claim the benefits you are entitled to
  • moving into and furnishing your home
  • having nowhere to live
  • setting up your utility bills, such as installing key card meters

NEST accommodation

We commission Nacro Education Support and Transition (NEST) to provide accommodation for homeless young people aged 16 and 17 year olds and care leavers up to 21. 

They operate across the seven district councils in Lincolnshire and supports young people and single parents.

The team will create support package with you to provide options and opportunities.

There are different types of accommodation available, such as:

  • shared flats
  • shared houses
  • individual self-contained flats

When the time comes we will support you to move on to your next home.

Shared lives

The shared lives scheme is sometimes known as adult placement. It enables you to stay with a family you have been matched with to help you:

  • find independence
  • learn skills to live independently
  • enjoy life as part of a family and make new friends
  • join in with the family’s community
  • have a safe place to help you get ready to move into your own home

Shared lives carers are ordinary people who have been trained and DBS checked.  Shared lives can be accessed from 16 years old.

Find out about shared lives schemes or visit the adult supporting adults website

Your move, your dignity - our promise to you

My things matter

When you're moving to a new accommodation, we know how important your belongings are. These aren't just things - they're your memories, your history, and a part of who you are.

Our commitment to you

  • proper luggage, every time: we'll provide you with suitable bags and luggage when you move. No bin bags, no makeshift solutions
  • respect your belongings: we understand that your possessions matter. We'll work with you to handle your things carefully and considerately
  • your voice matters: if there are ever concerns about items you're moving, we'll have an open conversation with you first

Being honest about challenging situations

We want to be clear and transparent. While we are committed to respecting your belongings, there might be rare circumstances where we need to make difficult decisions about items. If this ever happens:

  • we will always explain why
  • we will never make these decisions in secret
  • we will involve you in the conversation as much as possible
  • the safety and wellbeing of you and others will be our primary concern

These decisions will only be made if absolutely necessary and with full, open communication.

What this means for you

We're supporting the "my things matter" campaign because we believe care-experienced young people deserve dignity, respect, and support during transitions.
Your move. Your dignity. Your things matter.

Got questions?

Talk to your leaving care worker if you want to discuss this further. We're here to listen and support you.

Accommodation

Finding accommodation

There are different housing options available in Lincolnshire, some with support included and some without. Ultimately, you will decide what accommodation to accept but we will be considering your needs and your level of life skills to ensure the accommodation offered to you is suitable and appropriate. We will also liaise with housing on your behalf to ensure that your views are listened to and accounted for throughout the process.

Staying with foster carers after you have turned 18 is called staying put, you can stay with your foster carer until you are 21 if this is agreed.

There are lots of different types of supported housing options available to you, depending on your level of need. We will make sure you understand the options available to you and encourage you to accept housing which we believe is in your best interests.  If you have any questions just reach out to us and we are here to help

If you are under 18 and find yourself in difficulty and homeless, district councils will ensure you are safely supported.

Housing team contacts

District council Contact details
District council: Boston Housing Options Team Contact details: Email: housing.dept@boston.gov.uk
Call: 01205 314200
District council: East Lindsey Housing Advice Team Contact details: Email: housing.hub@e-lindsey.gov.uk
Call: 01507 613135
District council: City of Lincoln Housing Solutions Team Contact details: Email: housingsolutions@lincoln.gov.uk
Call: 01522 873777
District council: North Kesteven Housing Options Team Contact details: Email: housingoptions@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Call: 01529 414155
District council: South Holland Housing Options Team Contact details: Email: housingoptions@sholland.gov.uk
Call: 01775 761161
District council: South Kesteven Housing Solutions Team Contact details: Email: housingsolutions@southkesteven.gov.uk
Call: 01476 40608
District council: West Lindsey Home Choices Team Contact details: Email: home.choices@west-lindsey.gov.uk
Call: 01427 676676

You should get legal advice if the council:

  • refuses to take a homelessness application
  • offers housing that you feel is not suitable
  • make you intentionally homeless. Speak to your leaving care worker or social worker, as there is an agreement with all councils that no care leaver will be considered intentionally homeless without a multi agency meeting and your support network. Do not let anyone say you are intentionally homeless

Here is a protocol about how we are all working together to support you

Do not refuse any housing that you are offered until you have spoken to your leaving care worker

Homelessness prevention for 16 to 25-year-olds

We work with district councils to support to young people.

As long as it is safe, you are generally better off living at home or within your family and planning when to move.

Homelessness at a young age should be avoided wherever possible. This includes leaving home in an unplanned way with nowhere to go.

Living alone at an early age can be lonely and stressful. Plan ahead and do not leave in a hurry and make sure you seek support.

Lincolnshire care leavers homeless prevention (CLHP) provides support to children in care and care leavers aged 18 to 25 across Lincolnshire to find and maintain suitable housing.
They operate across all districts in Lincolnshire.

The team focus on exploring opportunities and ensuring earlier accommodation planning for those who have left care, or are leaving care, and require support to sustain their accommodation or to find suitable accommodation.
Lincolnshire CLHP is open to all Lincolnshire children in care and care leavers who are homeless or in unsuitable accommodation, or those who require some housing related support to maintain their accommodation. 

Referrals and applications should be made via telephone or email.

If you are homeless or immediately struggling, then contact Lincolnshire homeless prevention team or speak to your leaving care worker