Life in Salford 35 • November 2021 14
Partnership working to support young people leaving care At ForHousing we’re passionate about making more things possible for more people and believe care leavers should have the same opportunities and support as any other young person. Since 2017, ForHousing has been providing tenancy skills to young people leaving care and embarking on their journey to independence. In 2020, they took a huge step forward to support those leaving care by committing to the Greater Manchester Housing Provider’s Care Leavers Pledge. Along with other local landlords ForHousing pledged to offer a range of homes, life skills, mentoring and employment and skills to young people leaving care. This built upon how we were already supporting young people, especially those soon to move on from living in care who benefit from additional guidance. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic we’ve been doing just that. Housing Support Officer, Andy Officer, explains his role in delivering the pledges and supporting young care leavers. “The care leaving pledges put the young person at the heart of everything we’re doing and what we’re trying to achieve. It empowers that young person in making the decisions and us supporting them in the decisionmaking process,” he said. “Ultimately I work very closely with Salford City Council’s Next Step, because we have the same goals for the young person. We want them to succeed in life and sustain their tenancy.”
Next Step supports care leavers aged 16 to 21 or 25 in some cases and helps them find safe and suitable accommodation, education, employment and training opportunities, health care as they learn to live independently. Councillor Jim Cammell, lead member for children's and young people's services, said: “ForHousing have always been committed to doing all that they can which, when working together with Next Step, means it provides consistent support, tailored to young people leaving care into their independence.” “Since signing up to the pledge, ForHousing have improved how we work together to support care leavers and to create opportunities they are all benefitting from. “This is an amazing offer by a partner agency. We’re really seeing young people engage in the opportunities and support available from ForHousing and Next Step.” Why not take a look at our video on YouTube which further explains the partnership of ForHousing and Next Step in supporting care leavers? ForHousing want to make more things possible for more people, improve lives by providing quality homes and places, striving to be a positive influence, and providing the building blocks to a better life. Find out more by visiting www.forhousing.co.uk
