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Ready to live independently?

One way for you to get ready for living on your own is for you to move into what is called semi-independent living.

This is a chance for you to move somewhere where you don’t have a ‘foster carer’, but where there is still some adult support – maybe a key worker or owner of the house. Remember, a move to semi-independent accommodation will only happen with a lot of discussion between you, your social worker and your new Personal Advisor in the Care & After Team. We need to make sure you will be able to cope with the increased responsibilities (because you might be studying and will need to pay bills and cook for yourself). We also need to make sure you will be safe!

There are different types of semi-independent accommodation:

1. Supported Lodgings (Branchout)
This is when you will live somewhere similar to a foster carer’s house, where you receive support but are expected to take on more responsibility such as cooking and managing your money. Sometimes this can be the foster carer’s house that you might be living in already, but you will have more independence and will be expected to do more for yourself. When we match you up with a provider we take lots of different things in to account, such as your personality, your support needs and your hobbies/interests so that we can try and find the best match possible for you.

2. Supported Accommodation
Bristol has a range of supported accommodation options for young people.

• A Unit: this can include living in a Unit that is just for young people who are looked after. There are staff on site 24 hours a day to help support the young people living there, and you would all have a key worker who would meet with you regularly. Some young people might see their key worker more often than others depending on their needs.

• Shared-house accommodation (e.g The Projects): this is when you live with other young people who are looked after or care leavers but you will have your own bedroom and share kitchens and bathrooms. Usually there is no adult living there, although sometimes a key worker will visit the house to make sure the young people are okay.

• Supported self contained flats: this is when you live on your own in a flat and get limited support. This is only an option if you already have the skills to manage you own tenancy with a small amount of support. We only recommend this option if you are able to take on a lot of responsibility.

If you are living in this accommodation we will support you with a basic level of financial support and a bus pass up until the age of 18. Just ask your Personal Advisor if you want to know how much this is.