Young people who have been in care to get more housing support, by local democracy reporter Jude Holden

PEOPLE who have been in Wiltshire Council care and are under 25 years of age, will now be given priority in securing social housing.

They will be given band one priority, the highest priority for the allocation of social housing. The council approved the plans at a cabinet meeting, held on 31st January. Until now, band one priority was given to those who had been in care up to the age of 21.

Young people who have experienced being in care would be awarded the priority band one status when it is confirmed they are ready to move into independent accommodation. The changes will help them continue to live in Wiltshire, close to local connections.

The decision forms part of a wider promise the council makes to care-experienced young people.

It also includes exemption from paying Council Tax until the age of 25 and access to a rent guarantee scheme.

There is also support with next steps into employment and independence, with support towards driving lessons, help with university and opportunities for work experience, and favourable access to council apprenticeships. Care-experienced young people also have free access to Wiltshire Council-run sports centres and contribution towards WiFi costs.

Wiltshire Council cabinet member for housing, cllr Phil Alford said, “We are proposing a change to the allocation policy so young people who have been in care and are under 25 years can be given band one for housing when they are ready to move into independent accommodation.

“All parents want to ensure their young people can become independent adults while knowing their family is there supporting them.

“As a corporate parent, we want our care-experienced young people to have that same reassurance and know we are here to provide the support when it’s needed.”

Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children’s services, cllr Laura Mayes said, “We have a strong commitment to help keep our young people safe. “This latest decision is a measure to provide a stable footing as they become adults and move to independent living.

“The agreement today gives our young people the opportunity to stay close to friends in Wiltshire, to keep that local connection while moving on to the next stage of adult life.”

Each year, 59 care-experienced young people are moved into independent accommodation by the council, however this may be slightly inflated as the Children in Care team were not able to distinguish within its data sets those care-experienced young people who moved into university accommodation.