Hull City Council has been successful in a bid for over half a million pounds of Government funding to help make sure that looked after children get the best possible start when they leave care.
The council will receive £515,000 of Staying Close funding, from the Department for Education, over the next two and a half years to support young people leaving care transition to independent living.
Supported accommodation for young people, aged 16 to 25, will be provided in properties close to the children’s home that the young person lived in. A Staying Close support officer will work with the young person to develop a personalised housing plan, and also support with things such as independent living skills, activities, staying safe, finances, emotional wellbeing, education, training and employment, relationships and family mediation.
The scheme will be co-produced with young people, so from the initial stages of the project it will work with a group of children who are currently living in children’s home or have recently left a children’s home to help, shape, influence and develop the model.
Councillor Linda Tock, Portfolio Holder for children’s services said: “This funding will make a massive difference to the lives of young people leaving care.
“Hull has been recognised for its children’s homes. They’re a genuine part of the community and the young people who live there feel at home in them. This extra funding means young people leaving care will be able to choose where they move to, and stay in the local area.
“Some of the funding will provide a budget for each young person so they can enjoy activities like going to the gym, playing football and other hobbies. We know having spare hours can be lonely and so it is important that young people are supported with activities and community connections. ”
It is anticipated that 20 young people will be supported through the scheme over the two and a half years.
