Provide a Home for a Young Person Seeking Asylum
Could You Make a Difference?
We are looking for caring and supportive people across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) to provide accommodation for young people aged 16 to 18 who have arrived in the UK without their families and are seeking asylum.
These young people have travelled alone in search of safety and the opportunity to build a better future. By becoming a Supported Lodgings Host, you can provide the stability, encouragement, and sense of belonging that helps them settle into life in the UK.
Supported Lodgings Hosts offer a safe bedroom within their home while helping young people develop the confidence and practical skills they need for independent living. Hosts receive ongoing support from ICN and the young person’s Social Worker throughout the placement.
If you have a spare room and would like to make a lasting difference to a young person’s life, we’d love to hear from you.
Financial Support
Hosts receive:
- £120 per week per young person
- £140 per week per young person where food is provided
What Our Hosts Say
“Sharing space with young people from different cultures is a privilege and a joy. They’ve taught me so much and enriched my life in many ways. The support they and I receive from ICN is first class, responsive and professional, delivered with care and humanity.”
ICN Supported Lodgings Host, September 2026
How to Become an ICN Supported Lodgings Host
Our approval process is straightforward and designed to ensure that both hosts and young people are well supported and protected.
Step 1: Initial Enquiry and Home Visit
Contact the UASC Manager by phone or email to express your interest.
We will arrange an informal visit to your home where you can learn more about the role, ask questions, and explore whether Supported Lodgings is right for you.
Step 2: Complete an Application Form
If both you and the UASC Manager feel it is appropriate to proceed, you will be invited to complete an application form.
You can download and view the application form below. If you prefer, you may complete the application form before the initial home visit.
[See attached to include as a link to download)
Step 3: Assessment Process
Following a successful application, we will undertake a full assessment which includes:
- Several home visits
- Home safety checks
- Completion of an assessment report
- Information and training
- Discussions about your experience, household, and suitability for the role
These visits are usually around two hours long and provide an opportunity for you to ask further questions.
Step 4: Approval Panel
Once the assessment is complete and all required information has been gathered, your application will be presented to an ICN Approval Panel.
The panel will review the assessment and make one of the following decisions:
- Approve you as a Supported Lodgings Host
- Request further information or actions before approval
- Decline the application (with clear reasons provided)
You will not be required to attend the panel meeting.
Step 5: DBS Checks and References
Before approval can be confirmed, we will:
- Obtain an enhanced DBS check
- Contact your referees
- Verify all required checks have been completed satisfactorily
Once these checks have been successfully completed, you will be formally approved as an ICN Supported Lodgings Host. We will then work with BCP Council to identify a suitable match with a young person seeking asylum.
Our hosts receive training for the role and support which include regular (Usually 6 weekly) visits from the UASC Manager.
Interested in Becoming a Host?
We are always keen to hear from people who can offer a safe and supportive home environment to a young person seeking asylum.
Contact our UASC Manager today to find out more.
Stephen (UASC Manager): Tel: 01202 589395, Email: info@icn.org.uk
