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.
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. |
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.
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.
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. |
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.
Key actions for carers now
- Raise the topic early in supervision so expectations are clear.
- Read the Staying Put Policy & Flow-chart (available from your SSW) for detailed finance tables, template agreements and tax guidance.
- 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.
