Top tips for independent living

We’ll work with your foster carer or people caring for you, helping you learn how to look after yourself. Your social worker or your leaving care coach will help you to understand:

• how to buy enough food for the week and pay your bills with the money you have 
• how to cook and make meals
• how to eat healthily to stay fit and well 
• how to take care of your place

Before you move out, think about a few basic meals so you can start to cook for yourself.

It’s a good idea to make a shopping list before you go to the supermarket. Set a budget for how much you want to spend on food. Then make a list of what you’ll need for the week.

It’s important to know which foods are good for you and which aren’t. Try and avoid ready meals as they’re not only expensive, they’re often high in salt, sugar and other preservatives.

Your leaving care coach can give you advice on buying and cooking food if you need it.

Keeping your home looking and feeling clean and tidy, is good for your overall happiness.

When you buy cleaning products, it’s cheaper to buy a supermarket’s own brand, and they work just as well.

Try and get into a routine of cleaning and tidying your place at the same time each day or week. This will help you to keep on top of it.

It’s important you know how much money you have each week and what you need to spend that money on.

You need to think about how much income you have weekly and monthly, like:

• wages
• benefits  
• Housing Benefit   
• other income  

Then think what you can afford to spend on each of the following:

• rent  
• food   
• travel   
• clothes  
• TV licence/ rental  
• Council Tax   
• water bill   
• electricity    
• gas   
• laundry    
• cleaning materials   
• toiletries  
• credit or loans 
• phone

The number one rule for budgeting is to never spend more than you have coming in. If you do, you could get into debt. This will increase every month until you’ve paid back what you owe.  If you need advice on budgeting, speak to your leaving care coach.

Illness and injury
If you, or someone visiting you, has an urgent medical problem, and you’re unsure what to do, call NHS 111. If someone’s life is at risk, you must call the emergency services on 999.

If the illness or injury isn’t urgent or life threatening, you can call NHS Direct for advice on 0845 4647. You could also make an appointment at your local GP surgery.

When things break
When something in your property breaks, don't just leave it. If it’s an appliance, never try and fix it yourself. This might be dangerous and you may do more damage.

You must speak to your landlord or housing provider about what you’ve broken. If it was your fault, you’ll need to pay to get it fixed. Otherwise, it will come out of your deposit when you move out.

Your landlord may have a tradesperson or company they use for repairs, or may be able to recommend someone. If not, ask people you know and trust to suggest a qualified person to do the repairs. 

If something goes wrong due to normal wear and tear, and it’s not your fault, contact your landlord. In this case, it’s their responsibility to fix (and pay for) the property and items included in tenancy agreement. 

If you don't know how to discuss this issue with your landlord, ask your leaving care coach.