Oxfordshire Supported Lodgings
Information for Agencies
The Oxfordshire Supported Lodgings Scheme aims to provide supported accommodation to vulnerable Young People aged between 16-25.
The objectives of the Oxfordshire Supported Lodgings scheme are;
To provide good quality housing that meets the needs of the Young People as they enter adulthood
To provide a safe learning environment in which Young People can develop the skills necessary for adult life
To coordinate holistic support for Young People, in enabling them to take responsibility for themselves
What is Supported Lodgings?
Oxfordshire Supported Lodgings provides a young person with a room of their own in a private home where they are a member of the household, but are not expected to become a member of the family. The householder, known as a Host, provides a safe and supportive environment, working alongside professional services to empower the young person to develop their life skills and prepare them for independent adult life.
What are the referal criteria?
Before referring a Young Person to Supported Lodgings please ensure that the following applies to them:
in housing need and estranged from their parents.
have a local connection.
in receipt of benefits or have registered a claim.
have identified support needs.
are suitable to live in a family/home environment.
willing and motivated to engage in support.
prepared to pay a personal contribution of £15 per week.
willing and able to follow house rules.
Supported Lodgings is able to support and accommodate Young People with complex and multiple needs. However, Supported Lodgings are not suitable for all Young People; for example those who have few boundaries to their behavior or who want the freedom and anonymity of other settings, and/or who are not willing to take responsibility for their own life skills development and progression towards independence. For those who meet the criteria, Supported Lodgings has proven to improve the Young Person’s outcomes significantly.
What is the referral process?
All referrals come from Children, Young People and Families (formerly Social Services) Housing Services at the council relevant to the Young Person being referred and BYHP. A referral form is completed and sent along with the Young Persons Housing Assessment to the Scheme’s Housing Support Worker.
The Housing Support Worker goes through the forms and checks that the Young Person meets the criteria. Further information is gathered and the Young Person is invited for an interview, where they will be expected to complete their own application form and discuss their support needs. The Housing Support worker will then make a skills, needs and risk assessment and the Supported Lodgings team will decide whether to accept the Young Person onto the Scheme. Once accepted the Young Person will be placed on the waiting list and matched with a suitable host as soon as one becomes available.
What is the matching process?
Much of the success of a Supported Lodgings placement is dependent on the match between Young Person and host. We match a Young Person with a host based on what their support needs are. We also think about proximity of the lodgings to their family, friends, college or work, their cultural background and first language, their interests and any hobbies they may have in common with the host.
The referral and matching process takes up to 20 days to complete and placements are made depending on appropriate host availability.
What support is provided to the Young Person during placement?
The Housing Support Worker is responsible for co-coordinating a support package for the Young Person with the support of all relevant professionals. The Housing Support Worker puts together a projection plan for the Young Person at the beginning of placement and also a housing support plan. The Young Person meets regularly with the Housing Support Worker to carry out a support session and review the support plan. In addition the host provides at least 10 hours per week of practical and emotional support to the Young Person around the development of their life skills.
What is expected of the Young Person during placement?
accept and abide by the house rules.
use the property as their main home and reside there at least four nights out of seven.
not damage the property and contents of the placement.
respect the privacy and personal possessions of the host.
be responsible for the behavior of their guests.
pay £15 a week service charge to the host.
attend all support sessions and review meetings.
complete the tasks outlined in their support plan.
How long can a Young Person stay in Supported Lodgings?
The support the Young Person receives will help them to develop their life skills, they will move on when it is agreed that they are ready to take the next step towards independent adult life. Lengths of stay can vary from short to longer periods. We expect a Young Person to be ready for move on within two years.
What are the Young Persons move on options?
A move on plan is discussed early on in placement; the options are dependent on the progress made by the Young Person. We support the Young Person in accessing private rented accommodation, the home choice scheme, other supported housing projects, the choice based lettings scheme, key 2, or return to living with family or friends.
“A fantastic scheme that provides a supportive environment for young people so that they are able to have stability and help to achieve their potential” Jonathon Crew, Housing Options Officer, Oxford City Council.
To refer a young person
If you would like to refer a Young Person to Supported Lodgings please contact Sarah Crompton - Housing Support Worker (01865 323107), or email.
Information Leaflet
For an information leaflet please click here ►
BYHP’s Oxfordshire Supported Lodgings is a service offering a multi-agency approach to tackling youth homelessness in Oxfordshire. The key partners are Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, Cherwell District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and Supporting People.
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