Higher education accommodation

We will pay the full cost of your accommodation when you are at university.

This accommodation could be a halls of residence, in local rented accommodation or with your previous carers under staying put. We will pay the accommodation cost whatever you decide. Please note, the amount we contribute towards rented accommodation costs, is based on the average cost of rented accommodation where you attend university.

The university you are planning to go to can help you to decide which kind of accommodation is right for you. Their website will include information about accommodation options and contact details for queries.

Your worker will arrange to pay your rent directly to the landlord (property owner) before your course begins. 

You might choose term time only accommodation because you plan to return to Norfolk every holiday. We will pay for your accommodation costs during holiday time too.

You will need to agree with your worker where you are going to stay. This is so we can make the necessary arrangements to pay. You might stay with your previous carers or some other temporary accommodation. 

If you plan to keep your tenancy in Norfolk while you study elsewhere in the country, we will also pay your rent if you are eligible. This will be a maximum of £100 per week during term times and holidays. If your rent is more than this, you will need to pay the difference yourself.

Speak to your leaving care worker to check your eligibility.

During your final year, your leaving care worker will discuss where you plan to live when you finish studying.

You might want to stay where you have lived for the last three or four years, return to Norfolk or move elsewhere in the country. If you have been staying put with your previous carers, this will end when your course finishes. If you have your own tenancy, you will return to it permanently.

If you do not have a permanent address, your leaving care worker will support you to find and apply for your own tenancy. They will do this well before the end of your final term. You might have to meet with your worker to establish gold banding (this means your have priority for housing) and provide written evidence of your leaving care status. You will need this to support applications for more permanent housing. 

Your worker will also ensure you receive any remaining Leaving Care Grant.