This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England

What do I need to think about before I leave home?

Leaving home for the first time is a big step. If you're a disabled person, you'll be faced with many of the same housing decisions as a young person who is not disabled. Where should you live? Who should you live with? Can you afford it? In addition, you will need to make sure that your new home meets your needs.

What are my options?

You may decide to rent a place, or move into supported accommodation. For example, you could consider moving into a foyer, a shared flat in a specially adapted unit or a 'satellite flat', where you can live independently but with support available when you need it.

Where can I get help?

Moving into your own place will make you much more independent, but you don't have to do it alone. Before you leave school, your teachers, parents or carers, careers adviser, doctor and social worker should all help you make a plan for the future. This should include decisions about where you want to live.

You can also get information and advice about moving out and getting your own place from a disability information centre or Centre for Independent Living. Take advantage of all the help and advice on offer - the more clued up you are about your housing options, the more likely you are to make the right choice.

What about student accommodation?

If you're moving away from home to study, you should be able to get accommodation through your university or college. Before you apply for a course, get in touch with the university's disability adviser to discuss your support needs for studying, getting about campus and accommodation. Universities have a responsibility to ensure that you aren't at a disadvantage compared to non-disabled students.

What if I'm leaving care?

If you've been in care, your local council has a legal duty to help you make plans to move on. Although you may be fed up with people interfering in your life, it's best to make the most of the help available.

Can I get help to pay for my accommodation?

You may be entitled to benefits or grants to help you pay your rent and council tax, pay for support costs or get adaptations done to your home. Some benefits will depend on how disabled you are, others will depend on how much money you have. If you are a student, you may be entitled to other means of support, such as grants and loans.

Working out which benefits to claim can be complicated - and filling in the forms can be worse - but you can get help from an adviser at a Citizens Advice Bureau or a disability information centre.