Moving Towards Independence: Young People's Recommendations

• 30 July 2024

Moving Towards Independence is a unique study, giving a voice to young people moving on from Supported Lodgings and into independent living. The Centre for Homelessness Research and Practice (CHRP) collaborated with youth homelessness charity Step by Step to hear directly from young people, collating their experiences, challenges and suggestions for change.

The researchers from CHRP worked closely with young people from the charity’s Speak Out forum, empowering the participants to feel safe and confident in sharing their thoughts via video calls, online messaging, voice notes, photographs and in-person meetings. The research was built on the principles of co-production and lived experience.

The result was a series of recommendations, co-authored by the researchers and the young people themselves. These recommendations included:

1. Young people under the age of 25 should be given the same amount of Universal Credit as their older peers. Their living expenses are likely to be the same as anyone living independently and the level of Universal Credit they receive should reflect this.
2. Care leavers should be prioritised on housing lists, recognising that they might already be disadvantaged by not having family support or local connections.
3. Young people should be given consistent and reliable emotional and practical support. They should not have to repeatedly explain their circumstances to multiple parties.
4. Moving on information should be provided at least six months before the move out date, in order to give young people time to prepare for the transition to the next stage in their lives.

Dr Becky Ward, Research Lead, commented: “These recommendations are a starting point, a marker to highlight some key areas to work on. They are not the end, or the final say, but have opened the door for decision makers and policy makers to consider and be creative in the possibilities for moving forwards.”

Debbie Moreton, Step by Step CEO, added: “What makes this research particularly special is its co-creation with the young people themselves, ensuring their voices and experiences are at the heart of the findings. Their contributions have enriched our understanding and helped to formulate recommendations that are not only evidence-based, but also deeply rooted in the real-life needs and aspirations of all the young people we serve and that are affected by homelessness.”

These recommendations were delivered at a meeting of representatives from local government, third sector organisations, and health and justice services from the six counties in which Step by Step operates. We hope they are the catalyst for changes that will make a genuine difference to young people seeking to move on with their lives.

You can read the full Moving Towards Independence briefing here.

Photos taken by young people to represent their feelings