We are currently recruiting providers in the following areas:
If you live close to these areas, please still enquire, as we may be able to accept your application.
Our providers come from all walks of life. As a provider, you could be:
Being a provider is not about having particular qualifications – it’s about having the skills and qualities to help someone reach their full potential.
You do not need to leave your current job role; this opportunity can work around your lifestyle.
Depaul UK has a duty to make sure that all Supported Lodgings providers can offer young people a safe and supportive environment. The assessment process will ensure that you are committed to providing support and guidance which is of the highest quality.
Once you contact us to say you would like to join the Support Lodgings scheme as a provider, staff will contact you to discuss the provider role, and give you an application form. Once the application form is completed, staff will arrange to make an initial home visit to you and any other members of your household to continue the assessment process.
The assessment process involves:
Once all the information is gathered, staff will write a report for an approval panel who will review your application and references.
Following this we will inform you of the decision within 3 working days. All information we receive will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Each young person will have a changes plan, which details their needs and how they can be addressed. Changes plans are reviewed regularly. Some examples of support you might provide are:
Young people are expected to engage fully with the support that is available and attend regular review meetings with their provider and Depaul UK staff.
Young people must adhere to the terms of their Licence Agreement and their Living Together Agreement (a document which outlines expectations for both young people and providers, sometimes termed “house boundaries”). They must show respect for their provider’s property and possessions, as well as having regard for the security of the property.
We expect young people to engage in some form of positive activity – this could be training, education, work or voluntary work, and they must keep up to date with their contributions towards their accommodation charge (similar to “rent”) and service charge (utilities).
This will depend on the needs of each young person and how quickly they develop their independent living skills while living in Supported Lodgings. For some this may be a few months, while others will require support for longer. Generally, the maximum period a young person can stay with a Supported Lodgings provider is two years.
All providers will have support from Depaul UK staff.
If you have a placement, you can expect telephone contact with staff at least weekly and a monthly supervision meeting, alongside taking part in the young person’s support planning meeting. This gives providers the opportunity to discuss any challenges that have arisen, training needs etc.
You can contact staff between these calls if you need any advice or support regarding the young person. We will also provide you with details of an out of hours number, if there are any queries or concerns outside our usual working hours.
You will receive training to help you learn about and respond to some of the challenges experienced by young people. We believe that training and support must be made available for people to carry out their role and develop their skills as a provider.
You will be eligible for the HMRC Rent a Room exemption scheme. This means in each financial year you can earn up to £7500 tax free from rental income. It is the responsibility of the individual provider to declare these earnings as part of their tax assessment.
You will be required to advise your insurer that you are hosting a young person and what the scheme entails. You will need to ensure you have adequate insurance cover and show us proof of this.
Hosts will receive regular payments, and young people are required to contribute towards these. The amount varies in each region, but will include a rent contribution, service charge (utilities), and a “top up” to recognise the support you will give to the young person.
Contact us:
Supported.Lodgings@depaulcharity.org.uk