Council secure over £1.5m of funding to support care leavers into independence

Young people leaving care in Newcastle are set to benefit from extra support to live independently after the council secured new funding.

Cllr Sylvia Copley, Cabinet Member Growing City, Newcastle City Council

The project has been developed using feedback from care leavers and will offer additional support to those leaving residential care with safe, comfortable housing and wraparound support to build their confidence and experience of living independently until they are able to successfully manage their own home.

This innovative new model will include a handyperson who will help them create a comfortable safe environment and develop household skills that are traditionally taught by their parents such as putting up a curtain rail, hanging pictures, and decorating.

The funding will also support ‘Staying Close mentors’ who will work with young people to understand their needs, think about accommodation options for them, help them work through their aspirations for training and employment as well as building their life skills such as cooking and budgeting. They will also have access to work experience and pre-apprenticeship programmes and will be supported by a Staying Close nurse.

Cllr Sylvia Copley, Cabinet Member Growing City, Newcastle City Council said “It is fantastic that we have successfully secured this additional funding to support our young people. We are fully committed to the aim of this initiative, which is to give care leavers the best support possible to develop their skills and confidence to live fully independent lives in the future.”

Newcastle City Council have worked closely with Your Homes Newcastle to develop this project which will identify a range of accommodation options, offering young people a choice about where they live. It will be in place by December 2022 and is focused on young people aged 17 plus who are ready to, or who have expressed an interest in living independently.

Helen Neal, Assistant Director of Support Services at YHN said “We have a longstanding history of working in partnership with Newcastle City Council’s Children’s Services department and we’re delighted that this funding will enable us to continue our tradition of effectively working together to offer exceptional care and support that young people leaving care deserve. The funding allows care leavers to gain invaluable skills that will set the up with the best possible start to go on to live happy, fulfilled and independent lives. “

Full details of the project will be announced following the national launch event on 27 July.