Heart & Home Supported Lodgings (The Benjamin Foundation)

Heart and Home is a Supported Lodgings accommodation service.  Hosts across Suffolk and Norfolk offer their home and a bedroom, support, tolerance and understanding to a young person.  Many homeless young people particularly 16 and 17 year olds benefit far more from a home-like environment and the support of a family or individual than from a more formal hostel environment.

The characteristics of supported lodgings are the young person is aged 16 or over and is currently in care or leaving care, perhaps looking for a 'next step' from foster care or a residential children's home.  All referrals come via Children's Services and the Heart and Home team always meet with each young person to talk about their preferences and support needs to assist in 'matching' them to the right household.

The accommodation is a furnished bedroom in a domestic house with use of WC, bathing, cooking and laundry facilities as a member of the household

The Host is resident full time in the property but pursues their own lifestyle including daily routine, work, holidays.  The Host provides a home like environment and domestic routine consistent with the young person engaging in education, employment or training, including the provision of some meals to be agreed within the placement.

The Heart and Home team placement coordinator provides regular advice, guidance, support and training to the Host and the Heart and Home support worker regularly meets with the young person.  Support for the young person is tailored to their individual needs.

Hosts receive support payments too.