General Housing Options and Support
When you leave care, we want you to have a safe, suitable home and the support you need to settle in.
Your Social Worker and Personal Adviser (PA) will talk with you about your housing options as you get older. Until you turn 18, your Independent Reviewing Officer will also check in with you at your review meetings. They will ask where you want to live and what support you need to get there.
Your Social Worker or PA will give you clear information about all the housing options available before you move. You can visit or look at these options first if you want to. We want you to feel ready and confident about your next step.
Housing options and support
There are different types of housing depending on your needs and your goals for the future. Your PA and Social Worker will explore these with you.
You can also get advice at our drop‑in sessions at The Journey, our Care Leavers Hub. See the ‘Events at The Journey’ section of the Local Offer for dates and times.
Your PA can help you access A Place of Your Own (APOYO). This is an online programme that helps you build the skills you need to set up and manage your own home.
You can also use budgeting apps, such as MoneyHelper or Pocket Budget Planner, to help you manage rent and bills.
Support when you move into your own home
When you are ready to move into your own place — whether that is a flat on your own or shared accommodation — we will:
- give you a one‑off grant to buy essentials such as bedding, cookware and other items for your new home
- support you to apply for a council tax reduction if you are the named tenant, up to age 21 (this applies even if you do not live in Rotherham)
- help with a deposit or upfront rent if your landlord requires it — this is a one‑off payment to help you get started
- make sure you have basic essentials on the first day of your tenancy, such as cleaning products and kitchen basics
- offer tenancy support, mediation and advice if you struggle with payments or have problems with your landlord
- arrange emergency or short‑term accommodation if you do not have a safe place to stay, while we work with you on a longer‑term plan
- support you with housing costs during term time and holidays if you are studying away from Rotherham
You will not have to make housing decisions on your own. We will prepare you step by step, and you will always have someone to contact if you are worried.
