---
title: Staying Put Policy
description: "**Staying Put – turning a foster placement into a young adult’s first home** Under the “Staying Put” framework (Children and Families Act 2014, Care Leavers Regulations 2010), a young person who is *looked-after* immediately before their 18th birthday can remain…"
url: "https://handbook.co.uk/docs/staying-put-policy/"
updated: "2025-07-13"
category: Foster Carer Handbook
tags:
  - Staying Put Policy
---

# Staying Put Policy

**Staying Put – turning a foster placement into a young adult’s first home**

Under the “Staying Put” framework (Children and Families Act 2014, Care Leavers Regulations 2010), a young person who is *looked-after* immediately before their 18th birthday can remain living with their former foster carers as a **lodger or tenant**—usually until their 21st birthday—so long as everyone agrees and the arrangement supports the young person’s education, training or employment goals.

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**1 | Plan early**

| **Milestone** | **Actions** |
| --- | --- |
| **12 months before 18th birthday** | Foster carer raises “Staying Put” interest with Supervising Social Worker (SSW) and child’s social worker. Discussion logged in Looked-After Review. |
| **6 months before** | Pathway Plan updated with: accommodation objectives, finance outline, support needs, college/apprenticeship schedule. |
| **3 months before** | Draft Staying Put Agreement circulated for comment; rent level, household rules, delegated authority and support contacts confirmed. |
| **By 18th birthday** | Four-party agreement signed (young person, Local Authority, foster carer, agency); fostering placement formally ends and Staying Put status begins. |

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**2 | Who does what?**

| **Party** | **Core responsibilities after 18** |
| --- | --- |
| **Young person** | Pays agreed contribution (or benefits), respects licence/tenancy rules, engages with ETE (education, training, employment). |
| **Foster carer (now ‘host’)** | Provides a safe bedroom, meals (if agreed), emotional support, light guidance—not parenting. Keeps up landlord-style record of rent received. |
| **Local Authority** | Pays the Staying Put allowance to the carer; provides Personal Adviser support, reviews the arrangement at least every six months. |
| **Agency (Positive Aspirations)** | Usually steps back from direct supervision **unless** the Local Authority commissions ongoing support. We remain available for advice on early issues, safeguarding or training needs. |

*NB:* If you wish to **continue fostering other children** while hosting a Staying Put young adult, a fresh household assessment and panel approval are required.

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**3 | Money matters**

- The fostering fee and child allowance **stop** when the Care Order ends.
- The Local Authority pays a **Staying Put allowance** (often based on local housing benefit rates + utilities) directly to the carer.
- The young person usually contributes via wages or Universal Credit.
- Income must be declared to HMRC; Staying Put payments attract *qualifying care relief* up to the usual threshold.

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**4 | Day-to-day differences**

| **Fostering (under 18)** | **Staying Put (18–21)** |
| --- | --- |
| Parenting role, fostering regs apply, daily logs, agency supervisions. | Host/landlord role, tenancy/licence agreement, lighter record-keeping, no fostering regs. |
| Delegated authority from LA. | Young person holds their own legal rights; carer offers advice not consent. |
| Allowance includes pocket money, savings. | Young person manages own budget; may self-administer medication, arrange GP appointments. |

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**5 | Reviews and exit routes**

- Reviewed every six months in Pathway Plan meetings.
- Can end early by mutual agreement or if the young person breaches terms.
- At 21 (or earlier if ready) transition to full independence: supported lodgings, private rental, return to family or university accommodation.

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**Key actions for carers now**

1. **Raise the topic early** in supervision so expectations are clear.
2. **Read the Staying Put Policy & Flow-chart** (available from your SSW) for detailed finance tables, template agreements and tax guidance.
3. **Attend the annual Staying Put workshop** to hear real-life experiences from carers and young adults.

Staying Put offers continuity, stability and a soft landing into adult life—often the final spark a young person needs to thrive independently.