Where Will I Live?
When you are 16, chances are you will be starting to think about where you might want to live in the future. This is where we come in; we will encourage you to take control of your life by planning ahead and setting goals for your independence.
Training Flat
If you are thinking about moving out and living independently, we have kitted out two training flats for you to spend up to 4 weeks living on your own, to see if this is something you would want in the future. You would be given a weekly allowance to buy your own food and pay for the gas and electric. You would be expected to cook for yourself, keep the flat clean, do the washing, and budget for your travel, phone, etc.
Supported Lodgings
Some young people between the ages of 16 and 18 go to supported lodgings, where they have more responsibilities, and it prepares them for independent living. This is different from foster care, as the room is rented, and you would have your own money, and you learn skills to help you cope better with independent living. However, all your meals and food will be provided by the person you live with. Most young people stay between 6 and 12 months before moving on, but it all depends on your circumstances. View further information about Supported Lodgings
Flats
This is where you live independently.
Flat with Support
This is where you live on your own but receive support to make sure you’re okay.
Supported Housing
This option means you live in a shared house, but there will be different levels of support available depending on your needs. Some of these options include:
Llamau’s Ty Rhondda Project, Tonypandy
This is a 24-hour supported housing project for young people who are leaving care. Typically, you would stay between 6 and 12 months, but it all depends on your circumstances. There are three self-contained flats, with a shared lounge.
Llamau’s Dunraven Street Project, Tonypandy
These are three self-contained one-bedroom flats, that have flexible support, depending on your needs. Young people usually stay between 6 and 12 months, but it all depends on your circumstances.
Hughes Street
This is a supported housing project for young people who are leaving care. There are five self-contained flats for young people aged 16-21, and there will be support sessions, workshops, activities, and events to help you develop your independent living skills.
Hafan Cymru’s Bridget Project Shared House
These are shared houses for young people, where you will have support sessions, workshops, activities, and events to help you develop your independent living skills.
Hafan Cymru’s Vulnerable Family Supported Housing
These are flats or houses for families or women who are 16+. Typically, you would stay between 6 and 12 months, but it all depends on your circumstances.
Old Bakery Project
This is a five bed 24-hour supported accommodation for young people leaving care, and you would have your own self-contained flat.
Hafan Cymru’s Bridget Project Dispersed Housing
This is a housing project for young people who are leaving care, and you would live in self-contained properties. Typically, you would stay between 6 and 12 months, but it all depends on your circumstances.
What is the ‘When I Am Ready’ Scheme?
‘When I Am Ready’ is a scheme that has been developed by the Welsh Government. Its aim is to offer more support to young people leaving care, so you can confidently move into adulthood and independence.
What Happens if I Currently Live with My Foster Carers?
Under the ‘When I Am Ready’ scheme, you will have the option to stay with your foster family when you turn 18 if:
- You want to and/or you are not ready to live on your own,
- Your foster family agrees to you staying,
- It’s the best option.
What Happens if I Want to Stay in Care After My 18th Birthday, But Can’t Stay Where I Am Now?
If you are living in residential care, or you’re unable to stay in your current placement, it is really important that you tell your foster carer, social worker, personal advisor or IRO that you are interested in the ‘When I Am Ready’ scheme at least 6 months before you turn 18. You must be living in your new foster placement before your 18th birthday, to give you the chance to develop a relationship with your new foster carers.
What Other Support Can I Get?
There are lots of other ways you can access support, including:
Action for Children Youth Support Scheme
This is floating support for young people who are aged 16-24, and they will support you if you are single or if you are a lone parent.
Locality Based Floating Support Service
This is support in your own home that will help to build your confidence and build your independent living skills.
Llamau’s Young Person & Family Mediation Support Service
This support will help to work with you and your family.
Care Leaver Mentoring Support
The mentors will help to give you advice, support and assistance in building your independent living skills, and preparing to live on your own with your own tenancy.
Drop In (Morgan Street)
The Drop In is open twice a week (on a Tuesday for West, and on a Wednesday for East) and you can access support and take part in group activities to build your independent living skills. Two of the mentors are also based here.
The Positive Pathway Project
This support will help you to avoid homelessness, and stay in your home, or help you to return to your home environment.
The Grange
This is a 10-bed hostel for young people aged 16-24 who are homeless. You would have your own room that has a bathroom and cooking facilities.
What Happens if I Am Going to Further Education or University?
If you are studying away from your home, you may want to return home during the holidays. Under the ‘When I Am Ready’ scheme, you can come back to your foster carer during the holidays as long as it is written into your Pathway Plan.
How Much Money Will I Have?
If you are under 18, Rhondda Cynon Taf will pay you a weekly allowance. When you turn 18 you may be eligible for benefits depending on your circumstances. The benefits system can be complicated so if you’re not sure what to do, you can talk to your social worker or personal advisor who can support you with this.
Your personal advisor or social worker may also be able to support you to access the following, depending on your age and needs:
- Weekly living – Maintenance.
- Accommodation – Rent.
- Driving – driving licence, driving theory/test, some driving lessons.
What is the Setting Up Home Allowance?
The Setting Up Home Allowance is money we would provide you with to buy items/furniture for your first home. The amount given to you when you leave care varies depending on your needs and risks. We would go with you to buy the items.