Young people leaving care in Croydon are to receive extra help to find a safe, secure and affordable home when they move to independent living.
The council has launched a new Joint Housing and Children’s Social Care Panel to assess every care-experienced young person’s housing need before they reach the age of 18.
A clear plan will help them secure a home where they can thrive – whether that’s supported lodgings, remaining with foster carers, Shared Lives accommodation, semi-independent shared housing with support or university accommodation.
The changes, approved at Cabinet on Wednesday, support Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s priority to give children and young people in Croydon the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential.
Croydon works with 768 care experienced young people up until the age of 25, helping them with finding suitable housing, accessing education, training and employment and emotional wellbeing support.
The average age that young people leave their family home to live independently in England has increased to 23-years-old. Care experienced young people often face this transition at a much earlier age.
The council, as their corporate parent, wants to provide the same level of care and help that other young people get from their parents.
Through this new panel, the council will work to make sure every young person is helped into a home where they can be safe, secure and reach their full potential.
“Croydon looks after more children and young people than most other councils in London and in the UK. As corporate parents, we want to provide our young people with a safe and stable home while they are in our care and to help them secure housing that is right for them as they transition to adulthood.
“These changes will help to make sure we support all our young people at this important stage in their life, so that they can thrive and reach their full potential.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
