Supported lodgings for a young person aged 16 to 18
Supported lodgings is when you share your home with a young person aged 16 to 18 (and up to 21). You provide a safe home and help them learn to live on their own. They may have left foster care or experienced a family breakdown, or could be a young person seeking asylum.
The important thing is that you can offer practical and emotional support to help them to manage their lifestyle as they become independent. You'll be part of a nurturing team around the young person.
You can have any employment status or family situation. It does not matter what age you are, what job you have, or what kind of home you live in. The most important thing is that you can provide emotional support and a nurturing environment and work as part of a team.
Some supported lodgings providers are former foster carers who want to return to work or prefer working with teenagers. Others have no previous experience in foster care and simply wish to support a young person to become independent.
Providing supported lodgings appeals to many people as it offers a way to help young people while still giving you flexibility in your lifestyle. You feel many of the same rewards as fostering but can also continue with work and other activities.