Supported lodgings offer young people aged 16 to 21 an alternative to fostering when they are unable to remain with their birth families, leaving care or at risk of homelessness.
As a host you provide guidance and help to young people to help develop their practical skills and emotional maturity to move on to independent living and cope as young adults. This requires the young person to have a key to the home. We encourage the young person to also have their own shelf in the fridge and manage their own everyday tasks like cooking and washing. This is an important time in every young person’s life. Each young person will have different support needs. The emphasis will be on skills such as:
managing finances
cooking
laundry
applying for further higher education, training and employment
At the moment we’re not recruiting for new hosts. However, if you’re interested in supporting teenagers in care transition to independence, speak to us about fostering.
If you’re interested in becoming a host, contact our recruitment team. You can call 0800 0730 418 or email supportedlodgings@hackney.gov.uk.
We speak to you about the service, the assessment process and send you an application form.
All supported lodgings and fostering applicants need to undergo background checks including:
DBS
local authority checks
medical checks
references
Host requirements
Hosts must:
have a spare bedroom in your home
be able to provide a safe and stable environment for young people
be able to support and encourage young people in education, training or work
be patient and willing to listen and offer support and guidance
be able to relate to young people and enjoy their company
be willing to work with our team of professionals
Benefits of being a host
Benefits of being a host include:
on-going training opportunities
dedicated support and supervision
a generous weekly fee
a chance to make a positive impact in a young person’s life
experience working with young people
Frequently asked questions
What checks are done on hosts?
All applicants will need to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), checks with your local authority, Ofsted and NSPCC checks.
We will require a medical check from your GP and ask for at least two personal references.
A health and safety check will be carried out on the property and you will need to have a copy of your annual gas check certificate (where applicable).
What skills do I need to be a host?
We will look at your ability to demonstrate and act as a positive in the following areas: budgeting, social and communication skills, house-keeping and cooking.
How many young people could a host have at one time?
The number of young people you can have at any one time will depend on the size of your property and your support capacity.
This can be discussed as part of your assessment and reviewed and changed if necessary at your annual review.
What is the age group of the young people?
The young people in need of supported lodgings will be between 16 and 21 years old.
Am I too old to be a host?
There are no upper age restrictions on anyone becoming a host, you just need to be in good health and demonstrate that you can provide the support that is required for these young people.
How much responsibility do I have to assume as a host?
The young person will have agreed a support plan with their social worker and you will be part of that plan. Your role is to provide guidance so they are able to meet the desired outcomes.
Each young person will have different needs and you will be matched with a young person whose needs fits well within your support you can offer.
What are the expectations of me?
As a host, you will be providing a home-like environment for the young person with a key to the property, their own room and access to household utilities.
You should help them develop a domestic routine consistent with the identified outcomes of their support plan.
Your role is to support them; this may be through providing a listening ear and giving advice or helping them develop practical skills ie cooking, house-keeping, laundry, budgeting etc.
Can I build relationships with the young people?
Yes. We want young people to feel at home in your home.
We want them to feel comfortable and open so that they can go to you for the type of advice and guidance they may need.
Therefore we encourage you to establish an appropriate and consistent personal relationship with the young person, including non-intrusive practical help and advice.
Can I be a host on my own?
Yes, you can be a host on your own and unlike fostering you do not need a back-up host.
Young people who are ready to live in supported lodging have shown that they are able to manage on their own and you will be expected to pursue your daily routine, at work and time away presenting a positive example to the young person.
Can I do any training as a host?
As a registered host, you will have access to a variety of training including first aid, health and safety, social pedagogical principles, systemic models and other therapeutic approaches that are useful in your role.
As a host can I smoke and drink?
There are no rules regarding you smoking and drinking but your smoking/drinking habits will be discussed as part of the assessment process.
We will always encourage a healthy life-style as you will be a role model to the young people who live with you.
Can siblings at this age share a bedroom, if there was only one room available?
It is very unlikely that you would have to host a sibling group.
However, if this was an option it would be agreed between yourself and your social worker as part of the matching process.
Do I need to live in Hackney?
No. But this would be preferable as the young people will be from the borough and we would want them to remain in their familiar area when possible.
What will I be paid as a host?
Hosts will be paid a fee of £241 per week.
You are not expected to make any payments to the young people from your fee as a host.
We do not advise that you rely on the payments from this service to be your main source of income: this will be discussed as part of your assessment.
Can I leave the young person on their own overnight in the home?
Leaving young people on their own in your home could be a step towards them learning to be more independent.
At first, it may feel worrying to hand over such a responsibility to a young person, for both you as a host and the young person, but any decisions regarding leaving a young person on their own in the home will be made jointly between yourself, your social worker and the young person’s social worker.
It is important that all parties feel comfortable with the arrangement and it will depend on many different factors, such as the young person’s age, ability to be independent and your own feelings about this.
Who will be matched with me?
There is a thorough matching process in place to ensure that you and the young person are a good match for each other.
We will ensure that you have the background information that you need about the young person and that you both can meet before any decisions are made.
Hopefully the information you receive and the meeting will give you and the young person a good grounds for deciding if you want to go ahead with the arrangement.
Once the young person moves in there will be ongoing support for you to discuss how things are going and if anything needs to be changed to offer further support to you.
What if the young person I am supporting doesn't follow the house rules?
Rules should be set together at an initial settling in meeting that will be chaired by the young person’s social worker. Your social worker will be there too.
The rules will be reviewed and changed as your relationship develops.
If there are disagreements between you and the young person regarding any rules, there will be a space for you to discuss this with your social worker and think about best way to resolve these.
Can the young person smoke?
We will always encourage a healthy lifestyle, but if a young person does smoke, we would recommend that this is not done in the property.
Can the young person have visitors?
Yes. And this should be encouraged, but they should inform you, especially if they intend to stay overnight.
Can I take the young person on holidays?
Any holiday arrangements would be discussed and agreed with you, the young person and their social worker.
As a host can I have visitors?
Yes. If you have a partner that lives elsewhere but regularly stays over, we may ask for them to complete a DBS check.
We will also ask that DBS checks are completed for any other adults that regularly visit you.