Supported Carers
Information about becoming a Supported Carer (sometimes known as Supported Lodgings)
How do I go about becoming a Supported Carer?
Have a chat with one of our friendly workers they will talk to you about what supported carers do and if you are interested one of them will visit you. All of our Supported Carers go through an assessment procedure and once they have been approved they receive ongoing support and training from Stepdown.
What do Supported Carers do?
Supported Carers enjoy the company of young people and have a spare room a care-leaver can live in while learning the skills they need for independent living.
Why do young people need Supported Care?
Most of our young people have been in care and living in a residential unit. They need extra support as they move towards independent living. Our young people prepare to move into Supported Care around the age of 16. They stay for varying lengths of time, from a few months to a few years.
What kind of support do young people need?
Most of us can remember what we were like at 16 and the thought of living alone at this age can be very daunting and isolating. Various kinds of support are needed to prepare our young people for independent living. Some of these are the practical skills they would have learned if they had grown up in a family home, cooking, budgeting, and contributing to family life. However, many of our care-leavers have had a difficult time and their Supported Carers are also someone they can talk to when they feel upset or lonely. Our care-leavers will be starting their first job or going to college and they are often lacking in confidence. Supported Carers will offer encouragement and advice.
What kind of people are Supported Carers?
Supported Carers come from a variety of backgrounds. They can be married or single, working or retired, childless or have children still living at home. Some Carers have children who have left home and they miss the company of young people. We need a variety of Carers in order to meet our young people’s individual needs.
Do I get to choose the young person who will live in my home?
Stepdown will work closely with you and young people to make sure that you are carefully ‘matched’ with each other. So we will know from you what type of young person you would be happy to help support. After the matching process there is a period of induction where you can get to know each other to make sure everyone is happy before the young person moves in with you.
Do I need qualifications and do I get paid?
You don’t need any formal qualifications and we will provide you with any training you need. You do however need an interest in the welfare of young people. You will receive a generous allowance for each young person.
Interested?
Contact Stepdown by:
Telephone: 0141 762 4523
Or
E-mail: Liz.Rae@stepdown.org.uk
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