What is Host and Support?
Host and Support providers offer young people aged 16 to 21 accommodation who are in Local Authority Care.
They provide a bedroom in their home, along with a level of support, to help young people to develop the confidence and the skills they need to live independently. Providers take on the role of a "mentor" with the young person that lives with them. As a Host and Support provider you are not a foster carer offering care to the young person, but at the same time you are not only just renting out a room.
Providers are allocated a supervising social worker and given generous payment, training opportunities, networking support and more. This is a flexible role that you can do alongside your job.
Host and Support on Maritime Radio
Host and Support provider, Fiona and Supervising Social Worker, Adele were featured on Maritime Radio’s breakfast show, discussing what Bexley’s Host & Support scheme entails and how it helps to support young adults aged 16 to 24 years.
Host and Support story
Derek has been a Host and Support provider for over 15 years while working alongside his full-time job. Derek spoke about his experience of being a part of the Host and Support scheme:
What I provide as a Host and Support provider is a stable place to live, I make sure their welfare needs are being met, and they feel confident to function on their own.
Every young person I work with has always been different. The level of support that I give changes. I could be helping them learn how to budget, cook or clean.
It’s more than just teaching key life skills as I also befriend the young person who lives with me, and I try to build their confidence and make sure they are okay.
When I’m at home, I always think of their emotional wellbeing. If I notice that their mood has changed or dipped, I will ask how they are, and if they indicate they’re not too good, I will ask if they want to talk about their issues and normally, they do.
I feel it’s important that the young person is always able to engage meaningfully with me as well as being able to confide in me if they need to. I feel a great sense of satisfaction when I know that I have done something that will make a positive impact on their life, and that’s all I want.
If you have a spare room and can offer a bit of support by spending some quality time teaching young people how to maximise their independent living and life skills, then I would urge you to consider it as there is always a fantastic team to support you.”