SUPPORT AND ADVICE FOR Independent Living

The Passport to Independent Living will help you to prepare for living on your own.

After you've done it, you'll feel more confident about moving on to this new stage in your life. Living in your own flat or house may seem exciting and grown up...and you may also feel a bit worried about it. This is perfectly natural.

Use this page with your passport to prepare.

Your Passport can be completed with your foster carer, residential key-worker or Personal Advisor (PA). Getting ready to live on your own?​

Download the Passport to Independent Living here(Opens as PDF)

Food Safety and Cooking

It’s not all about cooking skills it’s also about knowing how to store different types of food safely and effectively

 

 

Food Safety InformationFood Safety Informationhttps://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-prepare-and-cook-food-safely/, Food Safety Informationexternal
Tips for eating well on a budgetTips for eating well on a budgethttp://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/eat4cheap/Pages/cheap-food-shopping.aspx, Tips for eating well on a budgetexternal
Easy, budget recipes to get you started cookingEasy, budget recipes to get you started cookinghttp://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/healthy-recipes/Pages/Healthy-recipes.aspx, Easy, budget recipes to get you started cookingexternal

Personal Hygiene

It’s all about you… do you really know how to look after yourself?

 

 

Looking after yourself: what is personal hygiene?Looking after yourself: what is personal hygiene?http://www.hygieneexpert.co.uk/ImportanceGoodPersonalHygiene.html, Looking after yourself: what is personal hygiene?external
How do I do laundry?How do I do laundry?http://www.wikihow.com/Do-Laundry, How do I do laundry?external
How to clean your flat in 30 min!How to clean your flat in 30 min!http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Your-House-or-Apartment-Quickly-and-Effectively, How to clean your flat in 30 min!external

Health

You may know how to look after your house but can you look after your health?

 

 

How can I keep healthy and fit?How can I keep healthy and fit?http://teenshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/, How can I keep healthy and fit?external
Find your local GPFind your local GPhttp://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/GP/LocationSearch/4, Find your local GPexternal

Care for your Flat

Maintaining your property is your responsibility. Keeping the property in good condition will make you feel proud about your own space.

 

 

What is insurance and why do I need it?What is insurance and why do I need it?https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/what-is-insurance, What is insurance and why do I need it?external
Troubles with your neighbour?Troubles with your neighbour?https://www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes, Troubles with your neighbour?external
Tenancy deposit protection - and how to get it back at the end of your tenancyTenancy deposit protection - and how to get it back at the end of your tenancyhttps://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection, Tenancy deposit protection - and how to get it back at the end of your tenancyexternal
When is your bin day? Bins & Recycling in LeedsWhen is your bin day? Bins & Recycling in Leedshttps://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Bins-and-recycling.aspx, When is your bin day? Bins & Recycling in Leedsexternal
Housing Information in LeedsHousing Information in Leedshttps://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Housing.aspx, Housing Information in Leedsexternal
Are you worried you're going to be homeless?Are you worried you're going to be homeless?https://www.leeds.gov.uk/youthinformationHub/Pages/Housing.aspx, Are you worried you're going to be homeless?external

Friends

It is important that you have time to spend with your friends. Why do you think this is important? Which friends are important to you?

 

 

Is your relationship healthy?Is your relationship healthy?http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/relationships/healthy_relationship.html#, Is your relationship healthy?external

Education and Employment

Education and employment opportunities are out there. Staying in education will benefit your future. Are you currently employed, in full time education or doing a training course?

 

 

Leeds Pathways: learning, training and employment for young people in LeedsLeeds Pathways: learning, training and employment for young people in Leedshttps://www.leeds.gov.uk/leedspathways/Pages/default.aspx, Leeds Pathways: learning, training and employment for young people in Leedsexternal
Everything you need to know about being in work: your rights, holiday, and moreEverything you need to know about being in work: your rights, holiday, and morehttps://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/, Everything you need to know about being in work: your rights, holiday, and moreexternal

How can I keep my flat safe?

It’s not all about locks…what about insurance?

 

 

Taking care of your property: Damage and getting your deposit backTaking care of your property: Damage and getting your deposit backhttps://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/wales/housing/renting-a-home/common-problems-with-renting/#h-damage-to-the-property, Taking care of your property: Damage and getting your deposit backexternal

Support with Money

Running your own property can be costly. That’s why it is important to budget appropriately for all your needs

 

 

Leeds local offer: What financial support can I get?Leeds local offer: What financial support can I get?https://www.leeds.gov.uk/youthinformationHub/Pages/Entitlements.aspx, Leeds local offer: What financial support can I get?external
Budget Planner from Money Advice ServiceBudget Planner from Money Advice Servicehttps://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/budget-planner, Budget Planner from Money Advice Serviceexternal
Choosing a bank accountChoosing a bank accounthttps://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-to-choose-the-right-bank-account, Choosing a bank accountexternal
Budgeting and Debt Advice from Leeds Money Information CentreBudgeting and Debt Advice from Leeds Money Information Centrehttps://www.leeds.gov.uk/c/Pages/leedsmic/default.aspx, Budgeting and Debt Advice from Leeds Money Information Centreexternal
How to make your money last all week - Savings tipsHow to make your money last all week - Savings tipshttps://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/action_plans/how-to-make-your-money-last-all-week, How to make your money last all week - Savings tipsexternal
Help with BenefitsHelp with Benefitshttps://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/benefits, Help with Benefitsexternal