Spare rooms neededfor young people

West Sussex County Council is hosting an open evening for anyone wanting to find out more about supported lodgings and how they could become a provider.

It is being held on Thursday, October 4, from 6.30pm to 9pm, in the Lewes Room, at Field Place, The Boulevard, Worthing.

Supported lodgings provides accommodation in family homes for young people aged between 16 and 21 (or up to 24 in higher education) for whom the county council has a responsibility.

They may be care leavers, or could have been deemed to be in need and not able to live with their own family.

Cabinet member for children and families Peter Evans said: “If you’ve got a spare room in your home, perhaps with a child having gone to college or university, and miss having a young person around, why not consider becoming a supported lodgings provider?

“Supported lodgings is an important service. It provides a halfway house for our young people who have just left care but aren’t yet ready to live on their own. It helps teach them the necessary skills to prepare for independent living while in a safe and secure environment.”

To find out more, call 01403 229400 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/supportedlodgings.