Sponsored Editorial: Produced in association with Kent County Council

The transition to adulthood and independence is not one that is often easy for young people, particularly for young people in care or those that are unable to continue living at home.

Kent Supported Homes (KSH) offers an excellent opportunity for individuals, couples and families in Kent to have the chance to work with local young people, aged 16 or over, towards living independently.

KSH is looking for potential 'hosts', who have a desire to support older young people in Kent. By welcoming a young person into your home, you can provide the knowledge, practical skills and emotional support they will need for independence and adult life. The support offered by a host makes a huge difference to Kent’s vulnerable young people.

Hosts Stuart and Kim, are currently supporting young people through the KSH service.

“Kim and I have been part of the Kent Supported Homes service for a number of years," said Stuart.

"We had some friends who were foster carers and we wanted to offer our spare room and time in a similar way to local young adults, who were transitioning from the care system or were unable to continue living at home.”

KSH provides vulnerable young people with a room of their own in a family home. As a host, you will provide these young adults with a safe and supportive environment, working alongside a team of professionals to guide the young person in gaining the skills needed to live a successful adult life.

Hosts must have the physical room to accommodate a young person, be emotionally resilient, be able to support the young person’s self-esteem and confidence and aid them on their pathway to independence.

It is a requirement, that hosts offering a supported home have the capacity to provide each young person a bedroom of their own (furnished and maintained to a good standard) as well as access to and use of kitchen and bathroom facilities, and that no more than three young people are offered accommodation and support at any one time.

“It is so important that these young people do not feel judged or labelled when they arrive, and that we remain open minded," added Stuart.

"Some of the young people have been very nervous, shy and worried about their future, whilst other young people have quickly settled and have been more open to communication and sharing their experiences.

CJ's STORY: Stuart and Kim's current young person

CJ, came to us as an emergency after a family breakdown that meant that she was unable to continue living at home.

We were identified as a suitable host family and after a discussion with our KSH accommodation officer, we welcomed CJ into living with us. After discussing our rules and expectations with CJ, it was very clear to see how overwhelmed she was by the transition. Throughout her first few days, we focussed solely on supporting her emotional needs as she struggled to understand how things had become so strained within own her family.

CJ had just started studying for her A levels at a local sixth form school and with everything else that was going on in her personal life, found it hard to make a positive start with her school work.

After a few months of living with us, CJ began to suffer from seizures that was eventually diagnosed with non-epileptic seizures. Unfortunately, this also impacted on her A levels and the Covid pandemic ment she was unable to attend school. CJ was also self-managing her bipolar condition.

After a meeting with her school, it was suggested that retaking the year could be an option. However, CJ was determined to prove that she could catch up, and with our support she made the decision not to repeat the school year.

After being ungraded in her first year of A levels, we are so proud that last month CJ passed her A levels with flying colours. She achieved two As and a C, meaning she was awarded a place at her chosen university.

What CJ is most excited about is that she is going to university already with the skills to cook for herself, do her own laundry and appreciate keeping a tidy bedroom space! Our role as KSH hosts has helped enable CJ to transition into independent living whilst being supported in a caring home environment. We are so proud of CJ, for all that she has overcome and all that she has achieved.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?

All KSH hosts are assessed and offered full and ongoing support once a young person moves in with them. Approved KSH hosts will receive extensive and comprehensive training.

This includes an induction program and courses such as Roles and Responsibilities, Managing Challenging Behaviour and Digital Safeguarding, extending to more specialised courses on young people’s mental health and understanding and supporting LGBTQ young people. Ongoing support and supervision is provided by a dedicated Supported Homes Accommodation Officer to all hosts.

As payment for their work and dedication to their young person KSH hosts receive a standard payment of £150 per week for 15 hours support or an enhanced payment of £250 per week for 25 hours support, as well as receiving the young person’s rental payment of either £70 per week or payment at the Local Authority Housing rate, alongside a £10 per week contribution towards utilities and £20 per week for food.

KSH hosts are also entitled to a two-week paid break.

Hosts are also able to continue to work (including in full-time employment) but must have some flexibility in order to offer the level of support needed to young people.

Maria Cordrey, KSH Development Team Manager, said: “We are looking to increase the number of KSH hosts to provide a supportive home for our care leavers aged between 16 and 21.

"Now more than ever our young people require the help and guidance of stable and responsible adults to support them in their journey into adulthood. We want to ensure that these young people experience feeling both safe and supported and that their accommodation is most importantly a safe home.

"I would urge anyone who is considering making an application to become a host to do so. Not only can this provide extra income, but you will also be contributing to the lives of young people in Kent in need of a safe and secure home, where they will be supported into independence.”

If you too could make a difference and provide support and a home for Kent’s young people, please contact our enquiries team for more information today on 03000 042 0002, email kentfostering@kent.gov.uk or click here