Trusted by local authorities across the South, Step by Step delivers flexible, trauma-informed services for young people aged 11–25 - from Supported Lodgings to Foyers and beyond.
Contact Us About PartnershipsAt Step by Step, we know that commissioning youth services for vulnerable young people isn’t about filling gaps. It’s about creating sustainable, flexible support that genuinely changes lives. That’s why local authorities across the South trust us to deliver, enhance or advise on services that combine regulatory compliance with compassion, innovation and evidence.
Whether you need a partner to step in and run an existing service, expand local provision, or offer strategic consultancy, we’re here to help.
Supported Lodgings is the closest model to a family home for young people who cannot live with their own. It offers 16 to 21-year-olds a safe, stable home with a trained host, underpinned by professional wraparound support from Step by Step.
This model is particularly well suited to:
Step by Step was the first organisation in the UK to be inspected by Ofsted for Supported Lodgings and we received top marks across every area of inspection. We have recruited, trained and now support over 200 hosts, all volunteers who receive financial support but give far more than they take, opening their homes and lives to vulnerable young people, making us the largest Supported Lodgings provider in the UK.
But size isn’t our biggest strength - quality is. 97% of our hosts choose to stay with us year after year, only stepping away when they retire or have a change in personal circumstances. That kind of retention doesn’t happen by chance. We:
At a time when budgets are under pressure, Supported Lodgings offers exceptional value. With significantly lower weekly costs than residential or semi-independent placements, it achieves stronger outcomes with fewer breakdowns. For commissioners, this means fewer placement moves, better long-term outcomes, and real savings across housing, education and social care.
Commissioners tell us our Supported Lodgings placements are the most stable, cost-effective, and human-centred option available.
Step by Step Foyers are more than accommodation - they’re stepping stones to independence. What sets our Foyers apart is that we don’t just provide a roof, we offer a trauma-informed, wraparound service that supports a young person from crisis to independence. We understand that young people often arrive in a state of distress, instability or acute mental health need. Our model ensures that stabilisation, emotional support and personal safety come first. Only then can young people begin developing life skills, building confidence, and progressing towards employment, education and independent living.
Our Foyers offer:
What sets our Foyers apart is the culture of purpose and progression. Every young person works through an agreed support plan, building confidence, independence and aspiration.
Our smallest Foyer supports just four young people at any one time, while our largest accommodates and supports up to 30. This breadth allows us to tailor provision to local need.
We currently operate four successful Foyers, and are experienced in:
We’re not a housing operator - we’re a youth development partner.
Launch is our in-house early intervention service available face-to-face in Aldershot and Basingstoke, and virtually elsewhere. It supports young people aged 11–25 with:
It helps prevent escalation into homelessness or statutory care and works well in conjunction with Supported Lodgings and Foyers.
Our small fostering service is tailored for older children and young people with higher or more complex needs. Built around our trauma-informed ethos, it offers:
As a not-for-profit registered fostering provider, we welcome commissioning conversations where our values and approach align with local need.
We know that not every commissioner needs a provider - sometimes you need a partner in design.
Step by Step offers consultancy, advice and (soon) training for local authorities and consortia looking to strengthen their offer for young people. This includes:
If you're developing new provision, preparing a tender, or reshaping existing models, we can support your planning.
We have over 30 years’ experience supporting vulnerable young people aged 11–25. Across all services, we provide:
We work with Hampshire, Surrey, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Dorset and beyond, always with a view to achieving long-term impact.
Supported Lodgings is a model for young people aged 16–21 who are not ready for full independence but don’t need a foster care environment. It offers a home with a supportive adult and professional wraparound care, but it’s not parenting - it’s empowering.
Yes. We’re experienced in stepping in to run or transform existing services, especially Foyers and Supported Lodgings. We work flexibly to ensure continuity, quality, and compliance.
Absolutely. These are two of the core groups we support through Supported Lodgings, Foyers and Launch.
We operate across Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset, Wiltshire, West Berkshire, and West Sussex. We're open to expanding from this base and are open to delivering services in neighbouring regions such as Bristol, Bath, Brighton and beyond.
Yes. We support authorities beyond our direct delivery area with consultancy, strategic advice, and training on Supported Lodgings, Foyers and youth support design.
Commissioners play a vital role in shaping what support looks like on the ground. Whether you're exploring options, preparing for tender, or rethinking your model, Step by Step offers insight, integrity and impact you can count on.
Whether you’re looking to expand your local offer, commission a new service, or strengthen what you already have, we’d love to explore how we can help.
Please contact our External Affairs Team for an informal chat.
“The emergency beds are used for new arrivals and Step By Step always responds immediately to demand and work closely alongside our social workers to settle new young people."
“Working alongside the Step by Step Team to mobilise this contract has been a pleasure... The recruitment of hosts for our new contract has exceeded all expectations."