Devon County Council is set to overhaul the way it supports some of the county’s most vulnerable young people, with a new £140 million framework aimed at improving housing and support for 16 to 25-year-olds leaving care or at risk of homelessness.

The proposed model, “My Future, My Way”, will replace fragmented services with a more integrated approach, ensuring young people receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place, by people with the right skills and relationship.

The plan includes dedicated Key Support Workers for young people as they progress from supported accommodation into their own tenancies and independent living.

The change marks a shift from the current system where support is tied to specific supported housing units. This will ensure consistency in relationships for young people, which they have said is key to them achieving successful outcomes.

There are currently 255 young people aged 16 to 17 in care, an increase of nearly 3 per cent in the past year.

In addition, 594 care leavers aged 18 to 25 live in Devon, a figure expected to grow by 20 per cent by 2028.

Evictions from Supported Housing arrangements also leave some young people at risk of homelessness, but by creating better homes for young people with the right support, the council aims to prevent them, and for any moves to happen in a planned way.

Young people have helped shape the new model, calling for better mental health support, improved communication, and clearer pathways to independence.

The changes will reduce reliance on costly emergency accommodation, create a flexible system that adapts to emerging needs of young people, and improve outcomes such as engagement with education, employment, and stable tenancies.

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Richard Jefferies, told fellow members of the council’s Cabinet today (Wednesday 10 December):

“We are looking to re-commission support and accommodation services for 16 plus looked-after and care experienced young people and those at risk of homelessness.

“Outcomes for young people in our existing supported accommodation have not been good enough. Too many of our care experienced young people and 16 and 17 year olds in care are leaving our services without the abilities, skills and competencies they need to thrive, get that independence in their own lives, and develop the skills needed to have their own housing tenancies.

“This is about creating supported accommodation to provide good homes with good support and prepares young people for independence so that they can sustain their own tenancies as much as possible moving forward.

“We are also working closely with District Councils to increase housing options, improving access to affordable tenancies and private rented homes and it’s this partnership approach that will create a coherent pathway from children being in care into independence.”