Kindly householders are being recruited to cut down the number of young people who leave the care system and drift into homelessness or crime.

The 'Stepping Stones' project aims to provide supported lodgings in family homes for 16 to 21-year-olds after leaving local authority care.

It is being planned by the charity NCH Action for Children together with Bradford Social Services and workers are currently trying to recruit and vet 30 placements before the official launch in the Spring.

The scheme follows national concern about the over-representation of young people who have been in care, on the streets and in prisons.

Youth workers feel that 16-year-olds leaving the care system are not equipped for independent living and do not have the support youngsters from 'normal' families do.

"People who grow up in 'normal' homes tend to leave home at 21, and they get ongoing support from their families," said Munaf Patel, the Stepping Stones project manager.

"But people leaving care tend to be much younger - aged 16. They are on their own and they are not ready.

"The problem is they are often very keen to get their own place and live independently, but they are trying to run before they can walk."

Common problems include isolation and loneliness, inability to make ends meet financially, and sometimes being taken advantage of.

"Young people can be easy prey - you get other young people congregating there and it becomes a bit of a doss house, you then get complaints from neighbours and the tenancy breaks down," Mr Patel said.

Providers of supported lodgings will be paid rent but are also expected to provide practical and at times emotional support to their young lodger. The idea is that they would stay 12 to 18 months, learning the life skills required to move on.

The level of responsibility is not as high as for foster parents, but workers say patience and a sense of humour are essential. Full training and support will be given.

To find out more, contact NCH on (01274) 483735.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.