Photo: Bex Walton, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Croydon Town Hall, London.
Croydon, in south London, has launched a new two-year pilot to help care-experienced young people move into independent adult life. According to Croydon Council, the Croydon House Project was launched on Tuesday, October 27, with 12 young people from a range of care settings forming its first group.
According to the council, the programme was designed with input from young people who have experience of care, and will offer stable housing, education, employment and training opportunities.
Participants will take part in practical preparation for independent living, according to Croydon Council, including budgeting, cooking, home management and understanding tenancy responsibilities. Young people who complete the programme will be offered housing, with ongoing support to help them settle in and keep their tenancy.
Executive Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry highlighted the launch in his October 30 update, according to Croydon Council, saying he was proud the borough had joined the National House Project and looking forward to its impact on young people's lives.
What happens next: the dedicated project team will deliver the pilot over two years, and after its first year it is expected to be self-funded, according to Croydon Council. No outcome figures have been published yet, as the first group has only just begun.