This is what you need to know about our responsibilities, regarding you having somewhere to live and being independent.
Housing options
Your social worker or personal adviser will be able to talk through what housing options are available when you turn 18. This could include the following.
Staying Put
Young people in foster care are encouraged to 'Stay Put' with their carers when they turn 18. This arrangement allows you to remain with your foster carer until the age of 21. Your social worker will have all the details on Staying Put.
Supported accommodation
If you do chose to move on from your placement then your personal advisor can help access some supported accommodation in Luton or elsewhere in the county. This might be for you if you are not ready to live independently.
Independent housing including social housing – (accommodation managed by councils or a housing association).
Discuss your options with your social worker or personal adviser.
Social housing tenancy
We've now approved care leavers in band 2, which is a significantly higher priority. However, you need to be ready to have a tenancy. Your PA will support you to develop independent living skills. Once you're ready, you'll be put forward for your council tenancy.
Private rental
Private rental accommodation can be a viable housing option for care leavers, offering greater independence and flexibility during transition into adulthood. However, accessing the private rental market can be challenging due to issues such as affordability, lack of rental history, and limited support networks.
To make private renting more accessible, the local authority provides financial assistance (rent in advance and deposit), guarantor schemes, and tailored advice. This will be based on your individual needs so please liaise with your PA to discuss these options.
University accommodation support
We believe that being an estranged young person or care leaver shouldn’t mean being left behind. The Unite Foundation gives us a rent-free, year-round #HomeAtUniversity scholarship, which means you can go to university, stay at university and finish your course, just like anybody else.
With the Unite Foundation scholarship, you’ll have accommodation and bills covered for up to 3 years at university.
Find out more about the scholarship
Help and advice
If you're aged over 18, your personal adviser will help you to find suitable accommodation. This might involve:
- working with housing services to come up with suitable housing options for you
- advice about holding down a tenancy, including Council Tax, paying bills and budgeting
- helping you to claim Universal Credit
- practical support with moving into and furnishing your new home
- supporting you if you have a housing crisis, including helping if you are threatened with or lose a tenancy
Financial support
Council Tax
Luton Council has agreed that care leavers will not have to pay Council Tax wherever they are living within the UK.
Depending on the number of adults residing in your property, this could be up to 100%. Your personal adviser can help you apply for this exemption/payment. This only applies:
- until you're 25
- if you don’t live with someone else who is not a care leaver
If you are living alone or with a dependent under the age of 18 then you are eligible for the single person discount.
If you're in receipt of benefits you may also be eligible for a council tax reduction.
Leaving Care grant
The Leaving Care grant is funding up to £3,000 (based on assessed need) for items you need for setting up home like:
- appliances
- bedding
- furniture
- contents insurance
Your social worker or personal adviser will be able to support you when purchasing the items.
Your first and second TV license will be paid from your Leaving Care grant.
Rent deposit
If you're seeking private accommodation, we'll support you by covering your first month’s rent and deposit, and, if required; we can also act as your guarantor to support you. This will be based on your individual needs.
First food shop
Based on assessed needs we will provide you with £60 food voucher for local supermarkets when you first move into your own independent accommodation.
Winter heating allowance
We will provide you with some financial support for your first 2 winters in independent accommodation.
Additional support
Sparks Foundation grants
The Sparks Foundation provides grants of amounts up to £700 which will either:
- help to advance the education or vocational training or employability of children and young people under the age of 26
- provide those who are leaving care, or have recently left care, with basic items, facilities or equipment (where eligible)
The overall aim is to give this group the same chance as those who have not been in care.
See the Spark Foundation grants policy.
Capstone Care Leavers Trust
Individual grants are most likely to be for amounts between £300 and £2,000, but we'll consider awards of up to £3,000 specifically in relation to higher education fees or training courses:
- that are not funded by Student Finance England or the local authority
- where all other educational grant, bursary or subsidy entitlements have been exhausted, dependant upon your individual circumstances
This could also include tools or equipment that are essential for the course.
See how Capstone Care Leavers Trust can help.
The Rees Foundation
The Rees Foundation aims to help care-experienced people who find they're in financial crisis. You can apply for a small crisis payment to help out in an emergency for things like:
- gas
- electric
- essential travel costs
If short of food, the trust may be able to provide grocery gift vouchers.
More about crisis payments from The Rees Foundation.
Based on assessed need and outlined in your pathway plan, rent deposit will be funded to secure accommodation for independent living. If you haven't received this prior to age 21 then this financial support can be accessed up to age 25.