Care leavers can be at risk of poor outcomes as they transition to independent living without the support of close family. Many young people struggle to live on their own, facing increased isolation, higher risks of mental health problems, homelessness, and becoming NEET or being involved in the criminal justice system.
Originally run by Stoke-on-Trent Council in Round 1 of the programme, the House Project (HP) represents a new approach to supporting care leavers to take control of their transitions to independent living and to have greater involvement and choice in creating their own long-term home after care.
With further Innovation Programme funding and led by Warwickshire over the next three years, we aim to build on these achievements by working with care leavers to set up a business to re-furbish and manage housing that they then live in, We are also in the process of establishing five additional House Projects in Islington, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Rotherham and Doncaster, as well as establish a National Hub to support Local Authorities to replicate the project