Your home (Care Leavers)

You and your foster carers may wish to continue living together after you turn 18. If so, you may be supported under a 'staying put' agreement. It allows you to remain with them until the age of 21. This can be a great option if you're away for university or a training programme but still want a stable home to return to.

We will provide financial support for the arrangement. You may also be able to claim Housing Benefit where eligible.

Depending on your financial circumstances, you may need to contribute towards the cost of living with your foster carers.

Supported accommodation is typically a shared house or a self-contained flat with staff available 24/7 to provide support. They can:

• Help you develop independent living skills
• Assist with access to education, employment and training opportunities

This type of accommodation is provided by external organisations who are independent of Peterborough City Council. It is generally available for young people aged 17 to 21.

You would have your own furnished room but may share facilities such as a bathroom, kitchen, lounge and laundry room with other young people.

When you turn 18, if you need a place of your own, we will support you to join the Peterborough Housing Register once you have the necessary skills and are ready to manage your own tenancy.

As a Care Leaver, you'll be given Band 1 status. This is the highest priority on the Housing Register. Your Personal Advisor will:

• Guide you through the bidding process
• Help you find suitable properties
• Prepare for your move

You will be responsible for covering your rent and bills.

Read our social housing pre-tenancy information page.

Renting privately means finding a property through a landlord or letting agency. This can give you more choice over where you live, but there are some things to consider:

• Many landlords prefer tenants who work full-time and may be less likely to accept people on benefits or in college
• Landlords usually ask for a guarantor - someone who agrees to cover your rent if you can't pay
• You'll need to sign a tenancy agreement, typically for six to twelve months - meaning you're committed to paying rent for that period

Your Personal Advisor can help. You may be eligible for:

• The Care Leaver higher rate of Housing Benefit
• Support with a guarantor, deposit and your first month's rent

Private renting can offer independence and flexibility, but it also comes with responsibilities. If you're considering this option, talk to your Personal Advisor. They will help you decide if it's the right choice for you and guide you through the process.

Peterborough City Council Care Leavers who are under the age of 25 and live in Peterborough can receive a 100% council tax discount. This means you won't have to pay council tax until your 25th birthday.

To be eligible, you must be either the sole or jointly liable person for council tax for your home. You can still qualify if you have a partner living with you. There is no earnings limit or any other criteria.

Your Personal Advisor will collect some key details from you and submit the claim form to our Council Tax Service on your behalf. Make sure to provide any information about other discounts or exemptions you may be entitled to.

Please note we do not provide this discount to Care Leavers living in Peterborough who have moved to the city from elsewhere. You would need to contact your original local authority to discuss any options they can provide to you through their own Local Offer.

We may be able to help with the deposit for your first property, as well as the cost of your first month's rent. This is subject to an affordability assessment.

Eligibility criteria:

• Care Leavers aged 17 to 25 moving into their first fully independent property
• If you're sharing a property, the deposit and rent contribution will be split appropriately

There is no set minimum or maximum amount, as support will be based on your individual circumstances.

Approval considerations:

• Whether a tenancy is affordable and sustainable to you
• If the property is suitable for your needs

Please speak to your Personal Advisor for more details and to explore your options.

We, Peterborough City Council, may act as a rent guarantor when you move into your permanent home. This provides reassurance to landlords and helps you secure accommodation.

A guarantor is someone who agrees to take financial responsibility for your rent if you are unable to pay, acting as a safety net for landlords.

If you are sharing a property, the deposit and rent contribution will be proportioned appropriately. 

This support is offered on a case-by-case basis. It is only available to those who have successfully passed an affordability assessment.

Contact your Personal Advisor to:

• Find out more information
• Request that Peterborough City Council acts as your guarantor

The cost of a TV licence in 2025 is £169.50 per year. It is required if you plan to watch live TV or use any BBC services.

As a Care Leaver between the ages of 17 to 25, moving into your first home, we will cover the cost of your first TV licence. It will last you one year. After that, you will be responsible for paying the TV licence fee. You can pay monthly by direct debit or in one lump sum.

Please contact your Personal Advisor or the Leaving Care Team to arrange.

• What your TV licence covers
• Ways to pay for a TV licence

If you're a Care Leaver aged 16 to 18, you can sign up for our Tenancy Ready Course. It is designed to help you prepare for moving into your first home.

The course covers essential topics such as:

• Living costs
• Budgeting
• Support available to you
• Assistance you're entitled to from us

We want to make the moving transition as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Please email our Care Leaver Local Offer Lead to book a place - Elle.Johnson@peterborough.gov.uk. The course can take place online or in-person.

On your move-in day, your Personal Advisor will complete a walkthrough with you to help you feel confident and comfortable in your new home:

• Show you where your water and electricity meters are
• Check for any damage to the property
• Address any immediate concerns you may have
• Help you settle in and feel at home

We have a published a move-in checklist document on this page to assist you.

This is your new home, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!

To be eligible for this help, you must be a Care Leaver aged 17 to 25 who is:

• Moving into your first fully independent home
• Moving into university accommodation

Your Personal Advisor will assist you with your first essential shopping trip to help you settle into your new home. You'll also receive up to £50 towards the cost of your first essential food shop.

If you need quality bags or a suitcase to help move your belongings, your Personal Advisor will make sure you have a suitable option.

We’ve partnered with Comfort Cases UK and Madlug in Peterborough to provide duffel bags to support your move-in. We’re here to make your transition as smooth as possible!

We are proud to have signed the 'My Things Matter' pledge, demonstrating our commitment to improving the experience of children and young people in care and leaving care when moving home. This pledge ensures that every move is made with dignity and respect, including access to appropriate bags for your belongings.

To learn more about the campaign, visit 'My Things Matter' supported by Madlug Bags on the NYAS website.

Care Leavers aged 17 to 25 moving into their first home are eligible for support with transporting your belongings.

Your Personal Advisor can arrange for a car or van hire to assist with your move.

You can request up to £150 towards the cost of hiring a vehicle to help with relocating to or from accommodation.

Please speak to your Personal Advisor to arrange this support.

Care Leavers aged 17 to 25 have access to a £3,000 Setting Up Home Allowance (SUHA). This is to help you establish your first home. We manage the money.

You can request parts of this fund at different times. Once you have spent the full allowance, we will not provide any additional funding.

If you'd like some guidance on how to use your grant, please contact your Personal Advisor, who can provide a list of suggestions.

Essential items to consider when moving in:

• Bed and mattress
• Bedding - sheets, duvets, pillows etc
• Cooker (oven and hob)
• Microwave
• Kettle and toaster
• Fridge freezer
• Ironing board and iron
• Basic kitchenware - cooking utensils, chopping board, measuring cups etc
• Cutlery and crockery - plates, bowls, cups etc
• Pots and pans
• Sofa
• Washing machine
• Vacuum cleaner
• Mirror
• Curtains and blinds
• Wardrobe and drawers
• Basic toiletries
• Waste bins for kitchen and bathroom
• Lighting
• Safety and emergency kit - small fire extinguisher, first aid kit, smoke alarms
• Food starter kit - essentials like pasta, rice, canned goods etc
• TV

Please call 01733 864064 or 01733 425300 (Out of Hours Emergency)

Charity offering housing support, advice, and information

Visit the Shelter website

Or Phone: 0808 800 4444

Emergency: 0808 1644 660