Live and Work – Staff information

A safe, affordable and supportive environment for young people ready to live independently while working or undertaking an apprenticeship.

This page is designed to help project staff understand who Live & Work is suitable for, how to identify someone who may be ready, and what happens from referral through to moving in.

This page only gives information for Live and Work BIRMINGHAM. Sandwell coming soon. If you are interested in discussing Live and Work Sandwell, please contact liveandwork@stbasils.org.uk

Who is Live & Work suitable for?

Live & Work is for young people who are ready to take the next step towards independent living.

Age

Young people aged 18–25.
They can stay for up to 2 years or until the day before their 27th birthday, whichever comes first.

Employment and apprenticeships

Employment includes all types of work or apprenticeships, or confirmation of employment or apprenticeship to start imminently.
Students in work can also apply.
Apprentices can apply as long as they are earning a minimum of £1,000 per month.

Financial eligibility

Eligibility depends on the young person passing a budgeting assessment.

They need to be able to demonstrate that they can afford:

Their weekly rent.
Their other living costs.

They should also be able to show that they:

Have clear or low rent arrears.
Make regular payments.
Can manage their money.

Independent living

Young people need to be:

Eligible to rent a property in England.
Able to live independently with minimal support.

Important: Live & Work does not provide support. It offers a safe and supportive environment, rather than supported accommodation.

When might a young person be ready?

Project workers can explore whether Live & Work may be suitable through key working sessions.

Look for evidence that the young person can:

Manage their finances

Afford the weekly rent and their living costs.
Keep rent arrears clear or low.
Make regular payments.
Manage their money effectively.

Live independently

Manage day-to-day living independently.
Manage with minimal support.
Understand that there is no formal support provided within Live & Work.

Rent independently

Be eligible to rent a property in England.

The key question is whether the young person is ready to move into their own space and manage their tenancy independently, with access to guidance and help if life gets tough.

The Live & Work pathway

The journey begins with a project worker identifying, through key working sessions, that a young person may be suitable.

1. Identify

The project worker identifies a potentially suitable young person and considers their:

Ability to afford the weekly rent and living costs.
Rent payment history.
Ability to manage money.
Ability to live independently with minimal support.
Eligibility to rent a property in England.

2. Expression of Interest

Visit the St Basils website Live & Work area to read a brief overview of the different projects.

The young person then completes the short Expression of Interest form for the relevant Live & Work project.

3. Eligibility assessment

The Allocations Department oversees the application and waiting list process and assesses whether the young person is eligible.

4. Full application

If successful, the young person will be sent a full application form to complete.

They will need to provide:

Proof of earnings — 3 monthly or 12 weekly payslips.
Photo ID.
3 months’ bank statements.

5. Face-to-face assessment

Applicants who fit the criteria will be invited to a face-to-face assessment with the Live & Work team.

They will also have the opportunity to view the property.

6. Moving in

Once the process is successfully completed, the young person can move into their Live & Work accommodation and begin living independently.

What does Live & Work offer?

Live & Work provides a safe and supportive community, while enabling residents to live independently.

Support when it’s needed

Support is not provided, but it can be accessed if and when the young person needs it.

Live & Work provides a safe and supportive environment, with access to guidance and help if life gets tough.

Prime city centre location

Prime city centre location.
Off-street parking.
Shops, cafes and entertainment right on the doorstep.

Excellent transport links

The accommodation is a short walk from major:

Bus stops.
Train stops.
Tram stops.

This makes it easy to get to work or explore the city.

Close to amenities

Everything is nearby, including:

Supermarkets.
Gyms.
GP surgeries.
Job Centres.

Facilities and living space

On-site laundry facilities.
Communal open space to work and socialise.
Young people have their own room, toilet, sink and shower.
Young people share a kitchen with 19 others.

Residents can live independently in their own space, with affordable rent that doesn’t rely on benefits.

Move-on

Move-on is not included as part of Live & Work.

Young people are expected to manage this themselves, either by:

Moving into private rented accommodation; or
Saving for a mortgage.

We can signpost young people but cannot provide move-on support.

FAQs

How long can a young person stay in Live & Work?

Up to 2 years or until their 27th birthday.

What happens if they lose their job?

They are given a grace period, but they need to be back in work within 2 months.

If they are not back in work within 2 months, alternative accommodation will need to be found.

We refer them to Employability straight away.

Universal Credit (UC) can be applied for in the very, very short term.

Can someone in an apprenticeship apply?

Yes, as long as they are earning a minimum of £1,000 per month.

What happens when their Live & Work tenancy comes to an end?

Young people are expected to manage their own move-on.

We can signpost but not support with move-on.

They may move into private rented accommodation or save for a mortgage.

How much do they need to pay on move-in day?

On move-in day, they need to pay:

4 weeks’ rent: £434.98

Key deposit: £40

£20 room key.
£20 key fob.

Rent needs to be kept 4 weeks in credit at all times.

What are the rules for guests and visitors?

Visiting hours

Monday–Friday:
17:00 – 10:00am

Weekend:
17:00 Friday – 10:00 Monday

Visitors

Licensees are allowed a maximum of 1 visitor at a time only.
Overnight guests are allowed 3 times per week, but these must not be consecutive nights.
Visitors must be offsite by 10:00am Monday–Friday.
No under 18s are allowed on site at any time due to safeguarding.
ID may be requested.

Is the application process the same for everyone, regardless of an external or internal application?

Yes. The process is the same for everyone.

1. Visit the St Basils website
Go to the Live & Work area and read the brief overview of the different projects.

2. Complete the Expression of Interest
Click on the short Expression of Interest form for the relevant Live & Work project.

3. Allocations assess eligibility
The Allocations Department oversees the application and waiting list process.

4. Complete the full application
If successful, the young person will provide:

Full application form.
Proof of earnings.
Photo ID.
3 months’ bank statements.

5. Face-to-face assessment
Applicants who fit the criteria are invited to meet the Live & Work team and view the property.

What should staff remember?

Live & Work is for young people who are ready for independence.

Before making a referral, consider whether the young person can:

Afford it
Can they demonstrate that they can afford the weekly rent and their living costs?

Manage their money
Do they make regular payments and have clear or low rent arrears?

Live independently
Can they manage with minimal support?

Rent in England
Are they eligible to rent a property in England?

Work or undertake an apprenticeship
Do they have employment, confirmation of employment or an apprenticeship, meeting the relevant requirements?

Pass the budgeting assessment
Eligibility depends on passing a budgeting assessment.

Remember: Live & Work is a supportive environment, not supported accommodation. No support is provided, although guidance and help can be accessed if and when needed.

Have a question or want to discuss a referral?

If you are a project worker and have a question about Live & Work, or want to discuss whether it could be suitable for someone you are supporting, please contact:

Alex Keane or Coral Manning

You can also check the St Basils website for further information about Live & Work and the different projects.