‘Staying Put’ in foster care – what you need to know

At the age of 18, most young people anticipate doing their exams and getting into university.

For those living in foster care, however, this is the age where they leave their foster families, and in turn, the care system.

Often moving into supported accommodation, these individuals once faced little to no support from social services. However, this began to change with the launch of the Staying Put scheme.

Here are some things to know about what this scheme entails.

What ‘Staying Put’ is

First introduced in the Children and Families Act 2014, ‘Staying Put’ refers to a child staying with their foster family beyond the age of 18, until they turn 21.

It differs from foster care in that the person being looked after is now an adult and therefore a care leaver. They then typically receive a support worker who can help them with things such as budgeting, finding and obtaining grants and entering higher education.

The ‘former foster carer’ will also continue to support the care leaver through acting as a family base and providing them with basic life skills. Both the young person and the former carer will receive support from their local authority.

Impact on foster children and their carers

The ‘Staying Put’ scheme is a useful tool in keeping the care-leaver community off the streets, and ensuring they live in safe environments and stay within a family base akin to their non-care experienced peers. It also ensures a slower transition to adulthood, especially for those who do not feel ready to strike out on their own.

Beacon Fostering supports those in care and their families through every step of their journey. For more information, reach out today.