Supported Lodgings carer Helen believes it’s a brilliant option for people who want to make a difference but may not be able to commit to full-time fostering:

“There are so many young people who really need that support. It’s lovely having someone else around the house; celebrating their achievements and helping them build confidence. It’s incredibly fulfilling.”

Foster Portsmouth are looking for individuals, couples or families who understand the issues facing young people today, and who are able to offer support to help them to build confidence and develop their independent living skills such as washing, cooking, or budgeting. People who can also encourage them to develop friendships and maintain contact with family, whilst helping them actively seek education, training or employment, access benefits and attend appointments, and to ultimately help them find a home of their own.

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Hear from our Supported Lodgings family support worker Claire in our Foster Focus Podcast:

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If the young person is seeking safety and asylum, the Supported Lodgings carer will also help them complete any immigration paperwork and support them with legal appointments.

Each young person has a social worker who will be available for support, and our carers receive excellent ongoing training and development, access to 24/7 advice, and competitive fees and allowances to help cover the costs of hosting.

Unless the young person is placed in an emergency, carers also meet the young person in advance along with their social worker. This offers an opportunity to agree household rules such as curfews, overnight visitors, and shared spaces, and discuss their support needs.

Supported Lodgings carer Kate shared:

“It’s great knowing that you are giving them the skills to be able to hold down a job or get their qualifications, keeping them safe, showing them how a stable family can function without the obstacles of long-term illness or drug issues, leading by example and ultimately how to live independently.”

Our Supported Lodgings carers come from Portsmouth itself or the immediate surrounding areas, from Emsworth and Rowlands Castle to Gosport and Fareham, and the Isle of Wight and Hayling Island to Petersfield and Havant. They include people who work full-time and those that have retired, those with families of their own and those that are single.

If you are over 21, have a spare bedroom and some life experience, enjoy spending time with young people, have an appreciation of the issues they may come across, and can provide a welcoming, safe family environment, you could be a Supported Lodgings carer regardless of age, gender, faith, ethnicity, sexuality, marital or work status, or whether you rent or own your own home.

The principal quality we look for in our carers are those that want to make a difference and have the time to guide these young people to independence.

Supported Lodgings carer Tamara said: “Do it! You are providing a young person with a secure base as they make their way in the world.”

To enquire or to arrange a 1:1 with one of our experienced team or an existing Supported Lodgings carer, please contact us on 023 9283 4071 or email us at fostering@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. For fostering, please complete our fostering contact form.