Accommodation and housing
West Sussex is a large county with 7 district and boroughs.
We support young people across all 7 areas. Every young person has different needs, so we help you access a range of housing options across the county.
We will work with you to find the right housing at the right time. While you are receiving support from our service, we will make sure you always have somewhere to live.
We have worked with the 7 district and boroughs and the Care Leavers Advisory Board (CLAB) to create a joint housing protocol. The protocol explains how we work together to:
- improve housing options for care leavers
- provide clear housing pathways
- prevent housing crises and homelessness
We are currently updating the joint housing protocol with our housing colleagues and care leavers. From 30 September 2026, the housing department cannot find you intentionally homeless.
Joint housing protocol (PDF, 1.2MB)The housing options available to you change when you turn 18. The information on this page explains the support and accommodation available at different stages of your journey.
Understanding housing options can feel confusing. We are here to help. If you need support or have any questions, contact us and we will talk through your options with you.
16 to 17 year olds
When you are 16 and 17, you are a ‘Young Person We Care For’. This means your social worker will make sure you have somewhere to live. This is usually either in:
- foster care
- residential home
- residential placement
- supported housing
- supported lodgings
Wherever you are living, you will get help to prepare to live more independently. This help can involve:
- learning how to prepare and cook food
- cleaning and maintaining your home
- developing a routine for independent living
- managing your money and learning to prioritise
- understanding all aspects of managing a tenancy
When you are 15 years and 9 months, your social worker will start talking to you about your pathway plan. As part of this, you will talk about where you want to live when you turn 18.
You do not need to make any decisions straight away. We start these conversations early so you have time to understand your choices and ask questions.
A personal advisor (PA) from the Leaving Care Service will come to your first review after your 16th birthday. They can offer advice and answer any questions. When you are 16, they will talk to you about joining the housing register with the local housing department you choose. The PA will explain what this means and how it could help you.
When you are 17, your PA will start working with you. They will talk with you and your social worker to arrange a Care Leaver Joint Housing Planning Meeting. At this meeting, staff from local housing teams will talk about the housing options you may have when you turn 18.
18 to 25 year olds
When you turn 18, the legal responsibility for providing your accommodation changes. It moves from West Sussex County Council to a shared responsibility between us and the housing departments in your district or borough council.
We can provide support and advice to help you understand your housing options.
Our leaving care support workers and housing support workers can help support you with your housing needs.
You can get:
- in person support until you are 25
- support from our duty team after age 25
Financial help with housing costs
See our Housing finance page to find out what help you can get with setting up and moving.