Designing services to help young people live a more independent life

Four youngsters from the Weymouth area have moved into a newly established supported living service in the town that is designed to enable them to live more independent lives.

This new initiative forms part of Dorset Council's Transitions service which oversees the care and support of eligible young people aged between 14 and 25, enabling a more seamless move from Children's Services into Adult Services.

Experienced Care Dorset colleagues support the young people to develop a range of life skills, including financial management, washing, cleaning and cooking at the property in Dorchester Road, Weymouth to prepare them for life in their local community.

The young people, aged between 20-24, have not signed traditional tenancy agreements but have agreed to a flexible and informal licencing deal, with licences running for up to 2 years. As they become more independent, the ambition is for the young people to move into conventional accommodation, freeing up the space at Dorchester Road for new nominations to move in and benefit from the bespoke support.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Cabinet member for Housing, welcomed the initiative, saying the young people were being helped to engage with employment, volunteering, education and learning as well as leisure and social opportunities: "This service enables our young people to gain confidence and live independently in their own community.

"In time it encourages them to move to more permanent accommodation to enable more young people to benefit."

Cllr Clare Sutton, Cabinet member for Children's Services, said the service was an example of how Dorset Council was developing its offer to Care Act eligible young people: "The service, which is designed to ensure our young people thrive in their local community, is a key component of our new Birth to Settled Adulthood Service."

Notes to Editors

The property was acquired by Advance Housing in 2023 who then refurbished the building, in collaboration with Children's Services and Adults and Housing Services at Dorset Council.

Dorchester Road is an excellent example of close partnership work between Dorset Council Commissioners, the Accommodation with Support team and local housing and support providers.

For more information about our Accommodation with Support, Supported Living and Extra Care work - Accommodation with support: Live independently - Dorset Council