YOUNG people leaving care to live independently can explore their options at an event this week.

Information on supported lodgings will be on offer at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, from 11am to 2pm on Tuesday (May 27).

Organised by Darlington Borough Council’s family placement service, the scheme helps care leavers aged between 16 and 21 make the step from leaving local authority care to living independently.

The scheme aims to provide supported accommodation in a home environment and offer help with budgeting, basic cookery and laundry.

It also provides all young people involved with the scheme with an allocated social worker or personal advisor.

Care leavers live with a supported lodging provider, who can offer young people a taste of life outside the care system.

A spokesperson for Darlington Borough Council said: “Alongside passing relevant checks, the provider will need to be able to offer a bedroom for the exclusive use of the young person, access to meals and other facilities in the home and be able to offer a safe and emotionally stable environment.

“This will enable the young person to mature and develop the essential skills for independent living.”

Providers earn an allowance and receive training, and have ongoing support from the authority’s family placement service team.

For more information visit darlington.gov.uk/supportedlodgings email supportedlodgings@darlington.gov.uk or call 01325-406166.