Housing for Children in Care and Care Leavers (Suffolk)

Designed for young people in Care and Care Leavers up to 19 years of age in Suffolk, this service provides accommodation that is safe, suitable and affordable, comprising supervised accommodation with support available onsite and supported accommodation with floating support, both with support available up to 24 hours per day according to needs. 

The objectives of the service are to: 

  • provide support according to the needs of the young people, which is flexible and mutually agreed, working in partnership with other agencies. 
  • enable every young person to become more independent during the provision of the service, through developing the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours required to sustain independent living and make a smooth and successful transition to adulthood
  • build resilience and strength in young people and the communities they are part of 
  • ensure care leavers are fully involved in the planning, delivery and monitoring of services, and their wishes and preferences are taken account of 
  • deliver as part of a Housing Pathway that encompasses all young people’s needs and does not give up on a young person  
  • provide information, advice and support about housing options, move on and realistic choices available to young people 

The service is more than about providing a safe, good quality home to live in, though that too is a top priority. Part and parcel of the support provided is to help each young person we care for to: 

  • develop positive self-esteem 
  • grow their life aspirations and get on the way to achieving them 
  • keep in touch with the people and organisations that make up their personal support network 
  • develop their life skills so they can look after themselves 
  • develop their talents and take advantage of life opportunities 
  • develop practical skills, including budgeting, shopping, buying, cooking and keeping food, washing clothes, personal self-care, and understanding and taking responsibility for personal healthcare 
  • improve their life chances and overcome obstacles to social exclusion 
  • be part of their community and take advantage of volunteering and peer mentoring opportunities 
  • prepare for the world of work and/or further or higher education 
  • take action in meeting their health and identity needs 
  • establish positive and appropriate relationships (social and romantic) 
  • know about their entitlements to financial and other support after leaving care, including benefits and support from social care services 
  • prepare for moving into a home of their own 
  • develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to maintain a tenancy without the need for professional support 
  • move on to alternative supported accommodation or their own tenancy when they are ready to and wish to do so 

Referral for support and access to this service is exclusively

via Suffolk County Council. 

Job Coach

The young people we support also have access to our job coach.

Our Job Coach, supports, encourages and explores options to assist the young people we support into employment, education or training. He works with all young people accessing the housing services we deliver in Norfolk and Suffolk. Through End Youth Homelessness, the role of the Job Coach is funded by kind donations from individuals via a BBC appeal, Churchill, MVK, H&M, Eversheds.