As part of 妖精动漫’s fostering service, I work closely with our Supported Lodgings carers and young people. Every day, I see the impact that a stable, supportive home can have on a young person preparing for independence. Supported Lodgings isn’t just about providing a place to stay—it’s about building relationships, offering guidance, and helping young people take confident steps into adulthood.
We have some really amazing carers in Supported Lodgings, people who have welcomed children in care and supported them to achieve, whether that’s through helping them develop their independence skills, through supporting them with creating their CV and applying to college, university or to apprenticeships and employment, and by sharing their lives with their young people- celebrating the high’s and commiserating over the disappointments life can bring, but always being there to talk to, and offer support. Our Supported Lodgings Carers are caring, empathetic, kind, people who just want to offer all the support they can to young people.
Some of our carers have been carers for many years, and others are newer in their journey supporting young people. But every carer has the passion, commitment and willingness to do as much as they can to support young people to enhance their independence skills and to achieve their aspirations.
Our young people in Supported Lodgings are bright, ambitious, full of potential and they have so many hopes and dreams for the future! Some of our young people have gone to University, and one young person recently achieved a First Class Honours degree- which is absolutely incredible! Some of our young people are in employment and working towards their life goals. Some young people have achieved our goal for them, which is to support our young people to enter into independent accommodation with the required skills to enable them to live independently and to thrive!
There can be some misconceptions about caring for older teenagers, and particularly for those who have experienced life in care, but our carers know that behind every young person is a story of strength, the desire to achieve and their potential. Our young people don’t just need a roof over their heads—they need support, encouragement, guidance, modelling and opportunities. And that’s exactly what our carers provide.
One of the strengths of the Supported Lodgings Scheme is the wide network of support available to carers and young people alike. Carers are never alone. We have a dedicated Supported Lodgings Team alongside an allocated worker, Out-of-Hours telephone support, the Emergency Duty Team, and there is close collaboration with Children’s and Care Leaver’s Teams to ensure support is always at hand, if it’s required. Together, we work to ensure that both carers and young people feel supported, safe, and empowered.
At its heart, Supported Lodgings is more than a housing & support scheme, it’s a bridge to independence, with people who care about young people: it’s a safety net during vulnerable years and the transition into adulthood and it offers a chance for young people to build the stability they deserve in life.
The Supported Lodgings Scheme’s aim is to do everything we can to support our young people not only to survive, but to thrive... and we love it!
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