Help for homeless care leavers

Find out how to get help if you are a care leaver at risk of becoming homeless, or you are already homeless.

Help when you first leave care

When you leave care, we will find you somewhere to live until you are 18 years of age. Your PA will help you decide which is the best place for you to live. Read more about finding a home when you leave care.

Help for care leavers aged 18 to 20

If you are currently aged 18, 19 or 20 years old and are homeless or at risk of homelessness, you have special housing rights.

We must help you if you were looked after by any local authority at any time while you were aged 16 or 17 years old. This means that you will have priority housing need and we must offer you:

• Emergency accommodation - somewhere safe and suitable to live, if needed.
• Advice and help - your Personal Adviser (PA) will work with the council's Housing Options service to prevent you becoming homeless and find you long-term housing. 

Help for care leavers aged 21 to 25

If you are 21 to 25 and have been in care, we can help if you become homeless or are at risk of homelessness. 

We will check if you are vulnerable because of your care history or other factors such as your mental health, a disability, or a risk of exploitation. If you are considered vulnerable, you will have priority housing need, and we must provide you with safe suitable accommodation. 

You may also qualify for Band A priority for social housing through Property Pool Plus if you have a recognised housing need and your PA supports a move to resolve your housing need.

Help for care leavers after 25

After the age of 25, you can ask for help from the council's homelessness service (Housing Options). It's important that you contact them as soon as you are at risk and tell them that you a care leaver.