Two new groups of care leavers are being supported on their journey to independence by the Warwickshire House Project this year.
Commissioned by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) nearly five years ago, the Warwickshire House Project team works very closely with care leavers to identify the learning and support they need to move out of care and into their new home. This home then becomes a base for them to become independent and transition into adulthood.
Care leavers aged 16+ can speak to their social worker or carer to be linked with the House Project, which also reaches out directly to social workers to ask them to put forward anyone they’re working with. After completing an application to join the House Project, the young person will be interviewed and will be supported throughout the process.
As part of the project, young people are encouraged to maintain and sustain tenancies, register for utilities, get into education, employment and training and are taught skills such as meal planning, cooking, budget management and home maintenance.
With its fifth group of young care leavers joining in September 2022, the House Project helped with the planning of group activities such as a Halloween party and bowling at Christmas. The team also put together Christmas food hampers for the young people to enjoy in their new homes over the festive period.
The project continues to expand, from its origins in the north of the county to covering South Warwickshire too, and the project team have built strong relationships with all the young people they support; hosting weekly drop-in sessions to catch up with them and provide any support and guidance that they may require. This year’s groups are made up of 20 young people, and the Warwickshire House Project has supported 49 care leavers since its inception.
Councillor Jeff Morgan, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families, said: “Warwickshire County Council is totally committed to the wellbeing of our care leavers and we want to support them in leading safe, healthy and independent lives.
“The House Project brings together all the life skills and support that young people need to enable them to prosper as individuals in their own right, to lead their own lives, knowing that we are behind them, supporting them while they take those vital steps.
“I’m thrilled by the project’s success and that it has grown throughout the county.”
A care leaver from Warwickshire who is a member of The House Project said: “I learned so much with the House Project. It gave me the confidence to live independently and the support I needed from everyday tasks through to setting up payment plans for my bills. And it was great knowing that the team was there for any questions I might have had along the way.”
To learn more about the Warwickshire House Project, visit warwickshire.thehouseproject.org or sign up to the monthly newsletter to stay up to date. For more information about the support available for care experienced young people, visit childfriendlywarwickshire.co.uk/care-exp or for care leavers, visit warwickshire.gov.uk/leavingcare.
To find out more about Child Friendly Warwickshire, visit childfriendlywarwickshire.co.uk.