Lincolnshire to overhaul housing support for care leavers and homeless young people

Lincolnshire County Council is set to change the way it supports young people who are homeless or leaving care, with new plans aimed at improving safety, independence and long-term outcomes.

The overhaul follows a review of supported accommodation and will see more council-run provision, including 44 supported rooms for 16 and 17-year-olds in Boston, Grantham and Lincoln, plus smaller solo units for care leavers transitioning into adulthood.

Natalie Oliver, the council’s lead member for children’s services and culture, says the changes are a positive step forward.

“Supported accommodation is imperative for our young people in Lincolnshire,” she said.

“This new model will simply deliver better quality and more flexible accommodation and also stronger support for independence.”

The council says the new approach is designed to help young people transition more safely into adulthood.

“Ultimately it’s about outcomes,” Oliver said.

“This new plan means that more of our young people can stay safe and build on their independence.”

The plans include recommissioning youth housing services and introducing a new floating support officer to help care leavers find and maintain accommodation.

Oliver says independence is key for young people who may not have had consistent support.

“We want to fill that gap and make them believe that they can do it and that they can gain independence.”

While budgets remain under pressure, the council says the changes will reduce reliance on costly independent accommodation.

“This plan is about commissioning more in-house supported accommodation that is higher quality and more cost effective,” she said.

Oliver also encouraged residents to consider getting involved through supported lodgings or fostering.

“All it really takes is an open heart, a spare bedroom and the desire to really want to make a difference.”