Skills for the Job: Supporting independent living

What are the main reasons for young people living independently?
Young people find themselves living independently or needing support to do so for a variety of reasons. These can include: a breakdown of the family environment; leaving a children’s home, the end of a foster placement; being homeless or the end of being in local authority care. Often young people are ill-equipped to live independently and need support to acquire the attitude and skills required. Youth workers or teachers can offer valuable advice on matters a young person living independently may be struggling with, or point them in the right direction for more formal support.

What issues do young people living on their own face?
Young people living independently often need to face many issues that have previously been unknown or untaught. The need for continuing education or finding a job is a major consideration, which can help to ease the transition. Financial skills such as budgeting and banking are critical. The need to pay bills regularly and to ensure shopping requirements are achieved on a tight budget can often come as a surprise.

Knowledge of the local area and amenities is essential, and having the confidence to use these facilities independently can prove problematic. Home skills such as cooking, DIY, cleaning and washing need to be mastered. Personal health is also an issue that needs to be addressed. It is necessary to arrange doctors and dentists, to have a basic knowledge of first aid, and to be sexually aware as well as facing the dangers of alcohol and drugs. 

What support can be given to them?
Young people can often access supported schemes. These offer various levels of support from 24-hour supported accommodation to outreach support schemes that provide short outreach visits of a few hours per week. Family support can also play a major part, and family ties often prevent young people from feeling isolated when moving into independent living.

Where they are in the care of the local authority, young people can expect the support of the council in helping them to achieve the skills to live independently.

It is also important that young people are aware of their rights as to where they can be accommodated while they are looked after. With the right support package in place and the right guidance, a smoother transition into independence can be achieved.

Where can young people access information, advice and guidance?
The first point of contact for young people under 18 is social services as they would be classed as a “relevant child”. From there, a referral can be made to a supported living service. Alternatively, these services can be contacted directly.

If anyone working with a young person living independently has concerns about their welfare, they should contact social services or a supported living project directly. Many local providers of support have websites that can be found easily. You can also contact your local housing providers or visit a local Connexions office and seek advice there.

What else should you bear in mind?
Living independently is a big responsibility and a massive transition from the care environment. Young people considering living independently should do it for the right reasons and be sure it is right for them.

Many failed tenancies happen because young people are not ready and have made their move into independent living too quickly. Advice and support from adults working with them can help young people to make the right decisions.

Damian Durkan-Reid, operations director, Independent Living Project