The short term priorities for 2026 to 2028 are:
- ensure there is sufficient safe and suitable emergency accommodation for young people is provided with appropriate accommodation that can meet the needs of care experienced young people who are presenting to the council
- develop a dynamic forecasting model that captures the pipeline of cared for or care experienced young people and trends related to young people presenting as homeless who will require future housing and housing with stepped support into independence to inform commissioning rights
- review our offer to strengthen our support to care experienced young people by joining the sufficiency strategy with the cared for, care experienced and separated young people’s strategy via the “Right Place to Live” corporate parenting sub-group
- work with local landlords and housing providers to develop suitable accommodation, with support, for Cumberlands Unaccompanied and Separated Care experienced young people, in locations where their identity, cultural and social needs can be well supported
- develop joint planning systems so that young people move to general needs accommodation when they are ready and able, for example moving from Staying Put to general needs accommodation at a point that suits their needs and, in such situations, can avoid the use of supported accommodation
- develop Staying Put and Home Stays (Supported Lodgings) as a familial type of semi-independent and supported accommodation
- develop outreach support or floating support or tenancy sustainment support to enable young people to access support that moves across accommodation and tenure type to enable tenancy sustainment
- provide accommodation options close to transport links, education facilities and training opportunities which supports young people to sustain, maintain and thrive
The medium term priorities for 2028 to 2031 are:
- develop an additional 70 units of supported accommodation for care experienced young people - key priority areas are Workington and Carlisle
- secure an additional 35units of safe and affordable move-on general needs accommodation places per annum via supported living or training flats
- stimulate a stable and innovative market for external providers to partner with Cumberland to deliver local supported living homes and training flats which meet the needs of our care experienced young people and separated young people
- ensuring homes are situated in the right areas of Cumberland linking the principles of staying close and meaningful independence preparation and communities support and engagement developing long lasting networks