Next step for young adults leaving care
Residents urged to offer a home
Perth and Kinross Council is asking local residents to offer space in their homes to young people progressing to independent living.
Supported lodgings support young people aged 16 years and older who have been in local authority care and are now moving on towards adulthood.
The transition to adult life can often be hard, especially due to loneliness and lack of support, which can lead young people into difficult situations.
Supported lodgings give them a safe and supportive environment and offer previously lookedafter young people the opportunity to develop the skills they need to look after themselves, including cleaning, cooking and managing their money.
The programme also offers emotional and physical support and the opportunity to build relationships, helping the young people access health, work, education and training opportunities.
Providers do not have parental responsibility for the young person.
They will receive training and ongoing support as well as a weekly fee to enable them to deliver accommodation and support.
Councillor Bob Band, convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s lifelong learning committee, said: “Anyone who has a spare room, enjoys the company of young adults, can understand and relate to their needs and would like to help them gain the skills they need to be responsible for themselves in adult life could become a supported lodgings provider.
“We are looking for more local residents to take on this important role so looked-after young people from Perth and Kinross can remain within our local communities while they prepare for independence.”
Anyone interested in becoming a supported lodgings provider can find out more via the council website at www. pkc. gov. uk/ supportedlodgings or call 01738 783466 when the council reopens on January 4.