Housing
Leaving Care
Social Services have a duty to help you with your housing needs when you are about to leave care. They should also continue to support you once you leave and help you to sort out any problems.
You will need to meet with your Social Services keyworker or Personal Adviser as part of your leaving care package. This is when you can talk about suitable accommodation and apply for financial help if necessary. Between the two of you, you should create a leaving care plan which will set out what help and support you will need to cope with life outside care.
Make sure you keep in contact with your social worker and tell them immediately if anything goes wrong with your housing. Social Services offices are open 8.30am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am-4.30pm on Fridays and you can get in touch with your nearest Social Services department by ringing one of the numbers below:
- Aldershot 01252 314221
- Alton 01420 544255
- Andover 01264 387400
- Basingstoke 01256 362000
- Eastleigh 023 8061 8722
- Fareham 0845 600 4555
- Gosport 0845 600 4555
- Havant 023 9247 1644
- Hythe 023 8084 6983
- Isle of Wight 01983 520600
- Lymington 01590 625000
- Petersfield 01730 265462
- Portsmouth 023 9283 9111
- Romsey 01794 526000
- Southampton 023 8083 3336
- Winchester 01962 847208
You can also contact Social Services in the evenings and at weekends on 0845 600 45 55 for Hampshire and Portsmouth, and 023 8023 3344 for Southampton . This helpline is staffed by social workers and other specialists and can be used to get emergency help when offices are closed.
If you’ve been in care and are going away to college or university, Social Services have to help you find somewhere to stay in the holidays if your college or uni only provides term-time accommodation. Again, speak to your social worker as soon as possible if you know this is the case.
There's an organisation called A National Voice which is run by and for young people who are in care or who have ben in care. Check out their website opposite.
Page updated: Sunday, March 9, 2008 8:43 AM
