Find out about changes to our services and Christmas opening times on our Festive information page. To find out when your bin will be collected over the festive period, visit Changes to County Durham bin collections at Christmas.

Due to maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 11.45am on Tuesday 24 December until 8.00am on Thursday 2 January: our online Council Tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Living on your own (care leavers)

We know it can be very hard having your own place for the first time and we will support you the best we can to make that easier for you and ease some of the pressures.

What help will I get?

Once you are ready to live on your own, your Young Person's Advisor (YPA) will:

help you to apply for your own home through Durham Key Options.
make sure you are given priority when bidding for houses / flats.
help you to claim for Universal Credit and other benefits so that you can pay your rent.
help you to apply for council tax reductions.
help you to manage your home, pay bills and deal with repairs.
help you to access a grant from Welfare Assistance and a Setting Up Home Allowance (£3,000) so you can buy items you need to set up your home.
give you practical support to move into and furnish your home.
help you to develop your independent living skills with training from the National Open College Network.
help you if you are at risk of losing your home.

Contact Young People's Service

Email careleavers@durham.gov.uk
Telephone 03000 262 289

Related information

Offsite links

Durham Key Options