A new, five-year contract has been awarded in relation to a youth housing service with a base in Boston, Lincolnshire County Council has announced.

Lincolnshire NEST provides accommodation for older teenagers in care or leaving care, as well as those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

The contract has been awarded to Nacro, the social justice charity which has been involved in providing the service since 2015. It will begin when the current contract ends on March 31.

Under the new contract, NEST will continue to offer hub-style accommodation in Boston, Grantham and Lincoln.

Pictured (from left): Lily Alimi, Nacro policy and public affairs officer for young people; Bridie Fletcher, LCC senior commissioning officer for children's commissioning; Andrew Morris, LCC head of service for leaving care and residential estates; Coun Natalie Oliver, executive councillor for children's services; and Tara Turnbull, Nacro NEST operations manager.

placeholder image — Pictured (from left): Lily Alimi, Nacro policy and public affairs officer for young people; Bridie Fletcher, LCC senior commissioning officer for children's commissioning; Andrew Morris, LCC head of service for leaving care and residential estates; Coun Natalie Oliver, executive councillor for children's services; and Tara Turnbull, Nacro NEST operations manager.

All 44 units of accommodation are self-contained, with their own kitchen and bathrooms.

There will also be an increased number of solo properties for young people, who may benefit from some focused support before they move into the hubs, plus four units specifically for young parents with children, it adds.

In addition, NEST will offer 61 units of Step Forward accommodation for 18-21-year-olds, enabling the main hubs to focus more on 16-17-year-olds.

Coun Natalie Oliver, executive councillor for children’s services, said NEST has ‘a strong track record of helping young people in care take their first steps towards independence’.

“The service offers older teenagers a place to call home and helps them develop vital life skills, such as managing budgets and household tasks,” she said. “It also offers advice on making healthy life choices, in areas like relationships, fitness and substance misuse.

“Where appropriate and safe, NEST will help young people to rebuild relationships with their families and return home, and explore their options for future accommodation, such as private tenancies or social housing.

The current service was recently awarded an Outcome 1 (consistently strong service) rating by Ofsted, the highest grade possible for supported accommodation.

“I’m sure over the coming years, NEST will continue to go from strength-to-strength, achieving even better outcomes for our young people,” Coun Oliver added.