Our Host Families Service aims to provide a safe, supportive and loving environment for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people who have arrived in South Lanarkshire.

We welcome applicants from adults who are compassionate, reliable, and dedicated to supporting young people. There are no specific qualifications required beyond a genuine desire to help and the ability provide a safe and stable home environment. Host families are families who offer support to young people aged 16-21 through the Supported Carers Service of Family Connections.

Unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people placed with host families also receive support from their social worker from the Continuing Care and Aftercare Team. This team supports care-experienced young people aged 16-26 and ensures their basic needs are met, including access to education, healthcare, housing, and counselling services. They also work with partners such as the Scottish Guardianship Service to help unaccompanied young people navigate the asylum process and connect with other unaccompanied young people.

You can be a Host Family and be in work or unemployed, be single or married, be in a same sex or heterosexual relationship, or own or rent the property you live in.

So, if you are tolerant, flexible and patient, and have a genuine interest in caring for young people and making a difference to their lives, then please get in touch., As a self-employed Host Family you would provide safe, high-quality care in accordance with the principles and standards expected throughout Scotland. Supported Care is a regulated role and your partnership with South Lanarkshire Council as an agency is regulated and inspected.

Host families receive a weekly allowance of £270 per young person in their care, paid every two weeks. Carers are considered self-employed, which might impact their eligibility for certain benefits. You would be required to register as 'self-employed' with HMRC. All self-employed people must register to pay National Insurance contributions however this is dependent on your earnings. Advice is available from HMRC.