Apply to provide supported lodgings

There is no defined criteria for becoming a supported lodgings provider. All you need is a spare room and to be prepared to be an advocate for young people.

We ask that our providers are warm and caring, have a good sense of humour, and will ideally have some experience of working with young people, but this could include your own family.

Eligibility

Being a provider is not about qualifications. We need people from all walks of life and from a variety of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds to support our young people. The young people we look after are from diverse backgrounds, so it’s important that this is reflected in the lodgings that we can provide.

As a provider you could be:

a family
a couple living together
a male or female single person
working or unemployed
disabled or able bodied

Assessment

When you register your interest in becoming a provider, one of our social workers will arrange to visit you and the other members of your household at home. During these visits, you will:

complete the initial assessment documents
undertake the initial health and safety checks
complete the qualifying carer’s assessment

Once the assessments are complete, your application will be put before the Supported Lodgings Panel, who decide whether or not you should be recommended for approval as one of our providers.

We understand that these checks and assessments may seem daunting, but in the interests of safety and wellbeing it's vital that we find the right people to become supported lodgings providers.

Qualifying carer’s assessment

As part of your application to become a provider, you will need to complete a qualifying carers assessment. This is a comprehensive assessment used to keep to government standards. It helps local authorities assess the suitability of foster carers and other forms of carers, like supported lodgings providers.

Our assessment process aims to ensure that you are committed to providing care and support of the highest quality, in a safe and supportive environment. We will be interested in finding out about:

you, the other members of your household, and your home
any experience of working with teenagers, or relevant skills
why you want to become a provider
what your expectations of the young people would be
what you would be prepared to offer a young person
how your family might respond to potentially difficult situations a young person could present

This assessment usually happens over six to eight home visits. These visits are also an ideal opportunity for you to ask about anything you are unsure of.

Further checks and references

As part of your application to become a provider, you will need to complete some further checks and supply various references.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Background Checks

As part of the assessment process you will also be asked to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau or CRB) form and we will undertake background checks for all members of your household aged 16 and over.

You will need to provide the following documents for verification:

birth certificates
marriage certificate
driving license or passport
National Insurance number

!  WarningPlease be aware that these documents must original. Copies will not be accepted.

Medical checks

With your permission, we will contact your GP to ask if there is any medical reason why you would not be a suitable as a provider.

References

You will be asked to provide two personal references, these referees will be visited by your social worker. You will also need to provide a reference from your current employer. We also write to ex-partners and any adult children requesting relevant information, but this will be discussed with you if these relationships are sensitive.

Previous employment

If you have worked with children, young people or vulnerable adults in previous employment, we will ask for details of your past employer. We will also make contact with any organisations of this nature you may have volunteered for.

Supported Lodgings Panel

When your social worker has completed the assessment form, they will contact you again to give you the opportunity to review the report and discuss any necessary changes.

Your social worker will then present your application to the Supported Lodgings Panel. The panel consists of 4 to 5 professionals, including a social worker, independent chair, and a team manager. You will also need to attend the panel meeting, supported by your social worker.

The panel will ask you questions designed to assess your suitability as a provider.

Within three days of the panel meeting, your social worker will inform you of the panel's decision. However, the Service Manager for Children's Services is responsible for final approval.

If you wish to discuss the scheme, please contact us by emailing supported_lodgings@bathnes.gov.uk or calling 01225 47 79 40.

Apply now

Take the online quiz

If you are successful

If you are successful, you will be asked to complete an initial one-to-one training session with a social worker to ensure that you are aware of the scheme’s policies and procedures before you are allocated a young person.

You will later need to complete a one day training session with other providers. Approved providers will be asked to sign a partnership agreement and supervision agreement with us which sets out:

your commitment to supporting a young person in your home
what you can expect from us
what we expect from you as a provider

Once all checks, training and agreements are complete, we will be able to place a young person with you.