Supported Lodgings Scheme
At Fresh Start, we provide tailored supported lodgings for young people aged 16–21, particularly those leaving care, helping them transition safely and confidently into independent adulthood. Our commitment is to deliver safe, nurturing environments and person-centred support grounded in equality, dignity, and opportunity.
Our Commitment to Equality
Fresh Start champions equal opportunities, ensuring that race, culture, disability, sexual orientation, or religion are never barriers to support. We are responsive to the diverse needs of our young people, offering placements that promote individual growth, safety, and well-being.
Young People’s Rights and Responsibilities
We believe young people have the right to:
• Be respected and heard
• Be involved in decisions about their futures
• Live free from bullying and discrimination
They also have the responsibility not to discriminate against others. Our Anti-Bullying Policy supports young people to raise concerns safely, with access to both informal and formal complaints procedures.
Core Values
Commitment: Advocating for and empowering young people
Integrity: Promoting emotional well-being and trust
Competence: Delivering effective, evidence-based support
Respect: Championing dignity and human worth
Motivation: Striving for service excellence
Core Aims
- Provide safe, high-quality accommodation
- Build positive staff-young person relationships
- Promote community inclusion and emotional resilience
- Work in partnership with professionals
- Support transitions to independent living
- Honour each individual’s cultural, religious, and personal needs
Young people should expect to say “I Feel” whilst in placement at FSIP
“I feel safe and secure where I live.”
“My voice is respected, heard, and advocated for.”
“My voice is respected, heard, and advocated for.”
We continuously evaluate and improve our service using feedback from young people, families, and professionals.
Our Functions and Approach
- Provide safe, welcoming, and inclusive accommodation
- Recruit, train, and support high-quality staff and householders
- Meet Ofsted quality standards and contractual requirements
- Promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being Deliver tailored, co-produced
support plans - Develop life skills, resilience, and independence
- Support education, training, and employment pathways
- Empower young people to make informed choices
- Celebrate diversity and inclusion
- Foster strong inter-agency collaboration
- Facilitate community engagement and social integration
Our Framework: Every Child Matters
1. Be Healthy
- Physical health: LAC nurse, GP & dentist registration
- Emotional health: Mental health/therapeutic support
- Sexual health education and resources
- Promote healthy eating and active lifestyles
- Drug awareness and harm-reduction sessions
- Support with personal hygiene and self-care
2. Stay Safe
- Safeguard against abuse, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination
- Promote a crime- and anti-social-behaviour-free environment
- Liaise with appropriate safeguarding partners as needed
3. Enjoy and Achieve
- Access to education
- Support hobbies and talents
- Promote independence through cooking and household skills
- Encourage engagement in community decision-making
4. Make a Positive Contribution
- Promote law-abiding, respectful behaviour
- Build confidence and resilience through challenges
- Develop communication and interpersonal skills
5. Achieve Economic Well-being
- Support into education, training, or employment
- Support young people to access apprenticeships and work experience
- Promote budgeting, saving, and financial literacy Assisted shopping and learning
- public transport use Help develop sustainable living skills
Why Choose Fresh Start
- Ofsted-aligned accommodation and suppor
- Safer recruitment and highly trained staff
- Holistic, trauma-informed, person-centred care
- Strong focus on outcomes, participation, and independence
- Robust partnership working with agencies and stakeholders
Supported Lodgings Referrals
Young people referred to the Supported Lodgings scheme follow the same referral process as other Fresh Start services. A key eligibility criterion is that the young person must be in education, training, or employment, or actively pursuing one of these paths.
Matching young people with householders is done with great care. An introductory meeting with the Supported Lodgings Scheme Manager, householder, young person, and their social worker or personal advisor is arranged where possible before placement. Matching considerations include religious and cultural needs, gender and level of support needed, location, access to education/training/employment, and overall compatibility.
Householders’ insights are taken into account.
Risk assessments are conducted, focusing on potential risks such as exploitation, modern slavery, and going missing. Additional factors considered include the level of supervision required, wider support needs (cultural, emotional, and social), and the householder’s ability to respond to psychological distress or trauma.
In some cases, young people may be moved within the scheme to find a better match. All changes are discussed and are made in the best interests of the young person.
Emergency placements can occur in cases of placement breakdown or for newly arrived UASC. These are made with limited information, supported by heightened supervision and monitoring based on assessed risk levels.
Becoming a Householder
Interested householders can begin the application by contacting the Supported Lodgings Scheme Manager by clicking below.
What happens next
The Scheme Manager will reach out within 3 days to discuss the role, expectations, training, and financial aspects. An initial visit is arranged within five working days if the enquirer wishes to proceed.
During the visit, the scheme is explained in detail, including an inspection of the available room. If the householders choose to proceed, they receive an application form, a leaflet, and consent forms.
The assessment has two stages.
- Stage 1 includes reference checks, DBS checks, and gathering household details.
- Stage 2 includes multiple visits to assess suitability, experience with young people, understanding of diversity, and specific needs such as UASC support.
Assessments are completed within four months. Applicants are informed within 10 working days of completing Stage 1 if they will proceed to Stage 2.
Completed assessments are submitted to the Registered Manager and the Supported Lodgings Panel for final approval. The panel evaluates the householders’ suitability and may ask further questions before making a recommendation.
Accommodation and What Young People Receive
Fresh Start’s Supported Lodgings provide safe, homely, and fully furnished accommodations
within providers’ homes. Each young person has their own private bedroom, including a
bed and clothing storage, and access to shared communal areas. They are provided with a
key to the front door and have 24-hour access to the home.
If a young person does not arrive with a mobile phone, Fresh Start will support the
purchase of one (subject to local authority approval), ensuring they can maintain contact
with family and friends. Wi-Fi is available throughout the house. In emergencies,
householders may contact on-call staff to assist the young person in contacting
professionals or family.
Each young person receives a Welcome Pack on arrival, which includes information about
Fresh Start, house rules, privacy, safeguarding, complaints procedure, directory of contacts,
available courses, and more. Copies are available upon request to family and professionals.
Support in Supported Lodgings
Young people are assigned a dedicated key worker who meets with them weekly to
complete an Independence Session. These sessions cover eleven key areas:
1. Education/Training/Employment
2. Finance Management
3. Understanding My Journey
4. Maintaining Tenancy
5. Food Management
6. Personal Care
7. Social Skills
8. Relationship Building
9. Substance Misuse Awareness
10. Keeping Safe
11. Artistic Development & Hobbies
Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) receive tailored support. They are placed
with householders in multicultural areas and supported for the first 12 weeks with health
registration, community integration, travel training, and safety guidance.
Mental health needs are supported by liaising with social care and promoting wellbeing
through journaling, art, or social connections. Staff and householders are trained and
available 24/7.
Every young person has a personalised support plan (Pathway Plan) co-developed with
them and reviewed bi-monthly, covering their aspirations and tailored interventions.
Fresh Start partners with educational providers to ensure young people access education
and training and receive encouragement to build life skills and resilience as they transition
to adulthood.
Health and Safety for Householders
Fresh Start maintains a rigorous Health & Safety policy. Scheme Managers ensure all placements meet safety standards, including fire safety protocols, compliant furnishings, valid landlord gas safety certification, and a clear exit strategy. These measures promote a secure and stable home environment for both householders and young people.
