By working in partnership with housing providers and Local Authorities, the National House Project creates lifelong outcomes for young people leaving the care system.

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0

750+

85%

71%

52

22

Tenancy Breakdowns

young people in their own homes

report improved mental health

in education, training or employment

housing providers

Local Authorities

 

Our award-winning approach supports young people leaving care to:

  • Be prepared for living independently and managing their own tenancy, with zero tenancy breakdowns or evictions amongst the 750+ young people we’ve worked with to date
  • Ask for support when they need it from our dedicated Local House Project staff team, resolving potential crises before they occur
  • Developing personal skills for interdependence  through our AQA and Qualifications Scotland’s certificated House Project Programme
  • Work towards their personal career or employment goals (71% of our young people are in education, employment & training)
  • Build resilience and connected and fulfilling lives with a strong community of peers for friendship, support and wellbeing

 

Ongoing support is provided to all participants for as long as they wish to engage with National House Project.

What is the House Project approach?

NHP supports Local Authorities to set up and develop Local House Projects. Each Local House Project is co-produced with young people and includes a dedicated team of staff, a base (where young people and staff come together on a regular base), a groupwork approach to complete the House Project Programme, a relational psychologically informed practice framework (ORCHIDS) to ensure that staff are supported to meet the individual needs of each young person AND a relationship with Housing Providers who provide homes for young people.

A House Project doesn’t exist without local Housing commitments.

NHP currently works with 52 housing providers across 22 Local Authorities areas, who have provided over 750+ homes since 2018. But we’re expanding and we need to increase the number of tenancies available.

Before moving into their homes, young people join a Local House Project with a cohort of around 10 young people (who are also preparing to leave care) and work through the House Project Programme alongside one-to-one support from their LHP Facilitator. Over 6-9 months they work together with their peers to complete the House Project Programme modules which all develop their skills and confidence to live independently.

 

PLACEHOLDER FOR IMPACT STATS ON CONFIDENCE TO LIVE INTERDEPENDANTY, MENTAL HEALTH AND RECOMMENDING HPP

 

Everything at NHP is co-produced with young people. The Care Leavers National Movement …. Two reps from every LHP feeds in to CLNM. Each year CLNM undertake peer evaluation, paid consultations for external organisations, and plan and organise their own national conference celebrating best practice across the community and showcasing how they’ve supported improvements in NHP and their own LHPs.

 

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Benefits of partnering with a Local Authority and supporting a Local House Project with tenancies

  • Low Risk – proven approach, 8+ years’ experience with partnerships, excellent outcomes, trusted across the sector
  • Low Risk tenants - Zero evictions or tenancy breakdowns, supporting your organisation and reducing voids
  • Excellent Tenants and Neighbours – the preparation and ongoing support around our young people ensures they’re supported to be excellent tenants and neighbours who care about and contribute to their local community
  • No additional support required – Our dedicated staff teams provide ongoing support to young people who need it, reducing the demand on your staff and resources and limiting challenges or issues
  • Improved reputation by investing in care-experienced young people
  • Access best practice, expertise and resources which are proven to work. We bring our Housing Partners together biannually to share best practice and expertise.
  • Be part of the process from the start. We invite all Housing Providers to join LHP Steering Group meetings from day one, so you can really understand how a Local House Project works, build relationships with key stakeholders and staff, and input to the groupwork sessions where relevant – getting to know your future tenants
  • Meet your Corporate Parenting objectives -as part of effective partnerships to support care leavers
  • Co-production with young people – Young people across LHPs are used to participating and contributing their experiences and perspectives on a wide range of areas. By partnering with NHP you will get access to CLNM and their consultation services, as well hundreds of young people willing to share their perspective with you.

What are we specifically looking for?

Housing Providers who can provide one or more self-contained properties in areas where we already have Local House Projects, or are planning to set one up with a Local Authority.

Long term commitment to partnership working. We want housing tenancies that young people can stay in for as long as they want to, so they only move when they choose to.

Shared commitment to improving housing outcomes for care-experienced young people.

Book a call with Gill to find out more

 

FAQs

NHP is more than a housing programme. It combines a permanent home with structured preparation, personalised support from a dedicated team including psychologists and a peer community. Support from a Local House Project does not end when a young person secures a tenancy; it continues for as long as they need it.
Housing Providers are asked to provide long-term tenancies in suitable, safe, self-contained properties as a minimum commitment. Ideally, we hope Housing Providers will see this as a long-term partnership with NHP and Local Authority partners to create positive outcomes for care experienced young people. This includes attending relevant meetings and events and contributing to our bi-annual online Housing Community of Practice.
There is no fee for Housing Providers to join a Local House Project. Our partnerships are built on collaboration rather than membership fees, helping establish positive working relationships that create more homes for care experienced young people.

One property is the minimum commitment we ask from Housing Providers.

Each Local House Project usually has approximately 10 to 12 young people in each yearly cohort, so we need a tenancy for every young person when they are ready. In most areas these homes are provided by several Housing Providers.

If you are able to provide ten tenancies each year that would be fantastic. However, many partners begin with one or two homes and increase their commitment over time.

The tenancy agreement is between the Housing Provider and the young person.

Care experienced young people hold their own tenancy whilst receiving support to successfully sustain their home.

If the young person moves in before their 18th birthday, the Local Authority (as Corporate Parent) will temporarily hold the tenancy, act as guarantor or establish a Deed in Trust with the Housing Provider.

The Housing Provider remains responsible for repairs and maintenance in line with normal landlord responsibilities. The National House Project supports young people to understand their responsibilities as tenants and care for their home appropriately.
Housing Providers are involved in the matching process. Decisions are made collaboratively between the young person, the Housing Provider, the Local Authority Housing Officer, the Local House Project team and social workers.

A young person is never left to manage the situation alone. The National House Project works alongside the young person, Housing Provider and Local Authority to identify concerns early, provide additional support where needed and agree a plan to sustain the tenancy wherever possible.

Over the past eight years, NHP and Local House Projects have supported more than 750 young people into their own homes without a tenancy breakdown or eviction. The vast majority remain in their original tenancy. Where young people have moved, it has been through planned life changes, such as moving in with a partner or friends.

Any concerns should be managed through your organisation's established procedures, with the Local House Project informed so that a partnership approach can be taken. Local House Projects and their Local Authorities have clear safeguarding procedures in place as part of their Partnership Agreement with Housing Providers. NHP can also provide advice and support where required.
The Local Authority acts as Corporate Parent and will ensure suitable arrangements are in place, including covering rent payments where appropriate, until the young person is in a financial position to pay their rent through income or welfare support.