What "home" means to people

Across our engagement, young people described home as a place that must first and foremost feel safe, warm and stable, before it can feel like somewhere they belong.

Safety was a dominant theme. Young people spoke about concerns related to neighbourhood safety, anti-social behaviour, and feeling unsafe both inside and outside their homes. Survey responses showed that many were not told about anti-social issues in the area before moving in, and practical features such as outdoor lighting were described as helping people feel safer.

"In the foyer there is a period of time when the staff leave and security start and that made me feel unsafe, at the weekend there was often no staff."

"Help to understand my thermostat and what the flashing lights mean."

"Having connections and a community is really important and everyone should have this, moving in by yourself is really lonely."

Home was closely linked to physical comfort and the ability to manage everyday living. Young people described difficulties with heating, damp and repairs, as well as uncertainty about basic household tasks.

Many young people spoke about loneliness, particularly when moving from foster care or residential settings into independent or semi-independent accommodation.

Having connections, a sense of community and opportunities for social contact were seen as essential to feeling at home, rather than optional extras. Loneliness was not only described as emotionally difficult, but as a factor that can undermine confidence, tenancy sustainment and successful transitions to independent living when people feel unsupported or isolated.

Our strategy will prioritise supported housing choices that provide young people with safe, good quality housing away from antisocial neighbours and poor living conditions. Ensuring that support is in place for transitionary periods to independent living and values consistency, providing empathetic support from staff and social services and information and practical advice to ease the process of becoming an adult.

Our pledge is to provide safe and stable accommodation to allow every cared for child, care experienced young person and separated child to develop independence and essential life-skills. We aim to allow them to grow, flourish and thrive and reach their full potential.

Current provision: supply of supported housing for care experienced young people

15 units were commissioned by Cumberland Council at Whitehaven Foyer. The foyer also accommodates other vulnerable young people, care experienced young people are one of the priority groups.

Estimated need for supported and move on housing required for care experienced young people

In addition, the data suggests there is an identified need for an additional 36 units of general needs housing stock per annum to be used as move-on accommodation for fully independent living.