Care Leaver Accommodation - Property Requirements and Opportunities

Finding suitable care leaver accommodation

Care leaver accommodation needs to provide more than a place to live. Young people leaving care may be moving towards independent living for the first time and can need accommodation that combines stability, privacy, safety and practical support.

Suitable accommodation can include supported housing, supported lodgings, transitional accommodation, shared houses, self-contained flats and independent housing with visiting support. The appropriate option depends on the young person's individual circumstances, preferences, support needs and ability to manage a tenancy.

For landlords, investors, developers and supported housing providers, this creates a need for residential properties that can provide a stable environment while allowing young adults to develop greater independence.

Fraser Bond can help property owners and specialist providers identify, assess and prepare suitable care leaver accommodation across London and the wider UK.

What is care leaver accommodation?

Care leaver accommodation refers to housing provided or arranged for young people who have left local authority care and need support as they transition into adulthood.

The accommodation may be temporary or longer-term, depending on the individual's circumstances.

It can support young people with:

• Managing a tenancy

• Paying rent and household bills

• Budgeting

• Cooking and cleaning

• Maintaining a home

• Accessing education or employment

• Managing appointments

• Building independent living skills

• Establishing stable routines

• Moving towards longer-term housing

Current England guidance requires local authorities to help eligible care leavers find safe and suitable accommodation. From 30 September 2026, updated statutory guidance also requires local authorities to explain accommodation options, housing support and how they anticipate the future accommodation needs of care-experienced young people.

Types of accommodation for care leavers

Different housing models can be appropriate at different stages of a young person's transition.

Supported accommodation

Supported accommodation can provide a home alongside practical support. Staff may be available on site or provide support according to the needs of residents.

This can be useful for young people who are developing the skills needed to manage their own tenancy but are not yet ready for completely independent accommodation.

Supported lodgings

Supported lodgings provide a more household-based environment where a young person lives with a host while receiving support.

This can offer a gradual transition towards independent living.

Shared houses

A shared house can provide individual bedrooms alongside communal kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces.

The property should have enough space to provide privacy while making shared areas comfortable and practical.

Self-contained accommodation

A self-contained flat can provide greater independence and privacy. It may be suitable for a care leaver who is ready to manage more responsibilities while still receiving visiting support.

Independent accommodation with support

Some young people may be ready for their own tenancy but still require periodic assistance with budgeting, tenancy management, employment or other aspects of independent living.

Property requirements for care leaver accommodation

There is no single property specification that applies to every care leaver.

However, suitable accommodation should generally provide:

• Safe and secure entrances

• Comfortable bedrooms

• Adequate bathroom facilities

• A practical kitchen

• Reliable heating and hot water

• Good ventilation and natural light

• Appropriate fire safety measures

• Suitable storage

• Access to public transport

• Reasonable proximity to shops and essential services

• A suitable environment for independent living

The property should feel like a genuine home rather than an institutional setting.

The design should also reflect the age and circumstances of the residents. Young adults moving from care should have opportunities to develop ordinary household skills and take increasing responsibility for their home.

Location matters for care leavers

Location can have a major impact on whether accommodation works well for a care leaver.

A property may need to be close to:

• Public transport

• Colleges and universities

• Employment opportunities

• Shops and supermarkets

• Healthcare services

• Training providers

• Leisure facilities

• Community services

• Trusted adults and support networks

Current government guidance says accommodation planning should take account of young people's individual circumstances, preferences, relationships and support networks. It also highlights the importance of assessing safety in the area surrounding proposed accommodation.

For London properties, strong transport connections can be particularly useful because they can allow residents to travel independently for education, employment and appointments.

Should care leavers live alone at 18?

Not every care leaver will be ready for a completely independent tenancy at 18.

Government homelessness guidance specifically states that there should not be a blanket assumption that a care leaver is ready for their own tenancy at 18. Accommodation should instead reflect individual needs, preferences and circumstances. Options can include supported accommodation, supported lodgings or independent accommodation with visiting support.

This is an important consideration when selecting property for a care leaver housing scheme.

A larger shared property may be appropriate for some residents, while a self-contained flat may be more suitable for others.

Designing accommodation around independence

The purpose of care leaver accommodation should be to help young people progress towards greater independence.

Property can support this by providing practical opportunities to:

• Prepare meals

• Manage household cleaning

• Do laundry

• Budget for bills

• Maintain personal space

• Use public transport

• Shop independently

• Manage appointments

• Maintain a tenancy

Communal areas can provide opportunities for social interaction, while private bedrooms or self-contained flats allow residents to have their own space.

The balance between support and independence should be considered when deciding on the property type.

Refurbishing property for care leavers

An ordinary residential property may be suitable for care leaver accommodation following appropriate refurbishment.

Potential works can include:

• Upgrading kitchens

• Improving bathrooms

• Repairing electrical systems

• Improving heating and ventilation

• Addressing damp or structural defects

• Improving fire safety

• Reconfiguring rooms

• Improving security

• Creating suitable communal spaces

• Improving accessibility

• Refreshing bedrooms and living areas

The proposed refurbishment should be based on the number of residents, support model and intended use of the property.

Landlords should establish responsibilities for refurbishment and ongoing maintenance before entering into a lease with a provider.

Leasing property to a care leaver accommodation provider

Landlords considering leasing property to a supported housing provider should understand how the property will be occupied and managed.

Important questions include:

• How many young people will live at the property?

• Will residents have individual rooms or self-contained units?

• What support will be provided?

• Will staff be present overnight?

• Who will manage the property?

• Who is responsible for repairs?

• Will the property require alterations?

• Who will pay for refurbishment?

• What tenancy or occupancy arrangements will apply?

• What happens when residents move on?

A clearly structured agreement can help establish responsibilities between the landlord and provider.

Care leaver accommodation and supported housing

Care leaver accommodation can form part of the wider supported housing sector.

Current government guidance on local supported housing strategies requires English local authorities to understand their existing supported housing supply, unmet need and future demand. Young people, including those transitioning from children's services to adult services, are among the groups that local authorities should consider when assessing supported housing requirements.

This can make local needs assessment an important part of planning a new care leaver accommodation project.

Property investment for care leaver housing

Investors considering care leaver accommodation should assess the underlying property as well as the proposed operating arrangement.

Important factors include:

• Location

• Property condition

• Number and size of bedrooms

• Layout

• Transport connections

• Refurbishment requirements

• Lease structure

• Provider experience

• Management arrangements

• Local demand

• Long-term property flexibility

A property that works for supported housing should still be assessed as a property investment. Investors should understand the responsibilities associated with the proposed use before committing to a purchase.

Finding care leaver property in London

London has a wide range of residential properties that could potentially accommodate care leavers, including terraced houses, flats, converted properties and larger homes suitable for shared accommodation.

However, the most appropriate property depends on the intended resident group and support model.

Fraser Bond can assist landlords, investors, developers and supported housing providers with identifying suitable properties, assessing their practical suitability and coordinating refurbishment and property requirements.

Planning for move-on accommodation

Care leaver accommodation should ideally form part of a wider pathway towards housing stability.

A resident may initially need supported accommodation before progressing to a self-contained flat or independent tenancy.

Planning for this move-on stage can help prevent residents from becoming stuck in accommodation that no longer matches their needs.

The current care leaver guidance specifically expects local authorities to plan for suitable accommodation and support young people in finding and keeping accommodation, including preventing tenancy breakdown and homelessness.

Creating stable homes for care leavers

Care leaver accommodation should provide a stable foundation for young people as they move into adulthood.

For property owners and providers, the objective is not simply to find a building with enough bedrooms. The location, layout, condition, safety, privacy and management arrangements all influence whether the property can provide a suitable home.

Fraser Bond can support landlords, investors and specialist providers looking for care leaver accommodation, from identifying suitable properties through refurbishment and ongoing property support.