Young people leaving the care system face particular challenges when it comes to housing. You will find out what support care leavers are entitled to, what
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Young people leaving the care system face particular challenges when it comes to housing. You will find out what support care leavers are entitled to, what happens if you are privately renting, and what to do if you face housing problems.
What is a care leaver?
A care leaver is someone who was in local authority care for at least 13 weeks between the ages of 14 and 18, and who has now left care. The law recognises that care leavers may need more support than other young people in similar circumstances.
What housing support are care leavers entitled to?
Under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Children Act 1989 (as amended), local authorities have duties toward care leavers up to the age of 25.
Pathway plan: When you leave care, your local authority should prepare a pathway plan that covers your housing needs, education, training, employment, and support. Housing must be part of this plan.
Personal adviser: Every care leaver is entitled to a personal adviser until at least the age of 25 if they want one. Your personal adviser can help you access housing support and navigate disputes.
Staying put: If you were in foster care, you have the right to stay with your foster family until you turn 21 under the "Staying Put" arrangement, if both you and your foster carer agree. This is designed to give you a more gradual transition to independence.
Supported lodgings and semi-independent accommodation: Many local authorities offer supported housing for care leavers, including shared houses and foyer schemes where support workers help young people develop independent living skills.
Are care leavers a priority for social housing?
Yes. Under the Housing Act 1996, most care leavers under 21 are automatically considered in priority need for homelessness assistance. This means if you are homeless and under 21, the council must provide you with accommodation, not just advice.
Some councils also give additional priority on their housing waiting lists to care leavers. Ask your local housing department and your personal adviser what your local policy is.
What if I am privately renting?
If you have a private tenancy, your rights are the same as any other tenant. Your landlord must keep the property in repair, maintain heating and hot water, and ensure the property is safe to live in.
If you are experiencing housing disrepair, damp, mould, broken heating, structural problems, your landlord has a legal duty to fix it. If they do not act after being told about the problem, you may be able to make a housing disrepair claim.
Care leavers can be particularly vulnerable to poor housing conditions because they may not know their rights, may feel reluctant to complain, and may have less support from family to help them navigate a dispute with a landlord.
What if I am at risk of homelessness?
If you are a care leaver aged under 21 and at risk of becoming homeless, contact your local council's housing department immediately. You are likely to be in priority need. Do not wait until you are actually on the street before asking for help.
Your personal adviser can also help you approach the housing department and make sure your situation is properly understood.
If you are 21 or older, you may still be in priority need depending on your circumstances, for example, if you have a child, are pregnant, or have a disability or vulnerability linked to leaving care.
What about the local connection requirement?
For homelessness applications, some people face difficulties if they apply in a council area where they do not have a local connection (such as a previous address, employment, or family). Care leavers have special protection: the council where you were looked after, or the council where you were placed by that authority, is responsible for you, even if you do not meet the standard local connection criteria elsewhere.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
If you are a care leaver in privately rented accommodation that is in poor repair and your landlord has not fixed the problems, call us.
Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
Sources
- Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Children Act 1989 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Section 189, Housing Act 1996 (priority need) (legislation.gov.uk)
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.
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