Staying put

If you currently live with a foster carer, you could have the option to stay living there when you turn 18 . This is called 'staying put'.

If you have been in care for 13 weeks or more before you turn 18, you might have the option to stay living with your foster carers until you are 21. 

You could stay put even if you are not in education or training.

You could also stay put if you live with foster carers that work for an agency.

When this will be discussed

Staying put should be discussed when you are 16, as part of your pathway plan.

The independent reviewing officer (IRO) will ask you again at all reviews until you turn 18. This is in case you or your foster carer change your minds. 

Who makes the decision to stay put?

The decision to stay put is made by you and your foster carer. It is not a decision that will be made by your social worker.

• If you live in a residential unit or supported lodgings. Your worker will explain the other options you have, as part of your pathway plan needs assessment
• If your foster carer does not want you to continue living with them. This could be because they want to foster younger children
• In very rare cases, your worker may feel that staying with your carers is not the best option for you. They will explain why they feel this with you and your carers. You can challenge the decision if you feel strongly that it is right for you to stay. Your reviews are a good place to do this. If you think it would help, we can make sure you have an advocate to support you.

It is really important that your plans to stay put with your carers are included in your pathway plan.

Staying put is an agreement between adults, you and your carer. Your worker will help you and your carer write a living together agreement. This might cover:

• Will the carer go into your room?
• Do you need to let your carer know where you are going?
• If you decide to stay out overnight do you need to let them know. How and when should you do this?
• Will you have a key to the house? If not why not? What needs to be agreed for this to happen?
• If your carer goes away for a few days will you be allowed to stay in the house?
• What household jobs will you be expected to do? For example, shopping, cooking, cleaning and laundry

These are just some ideas. You and your carer need to include what's right for you.

• If you are not working you will need to claim benefits. This will include housing benefit that you will pay directly to your carer
• You will be responsible for buying everything for yourself. You must pay for your own travel and any social activities
• If your carer continues fostering or begins fostering younger children, you will have to have a DBS criminal records check. If you have committed serious offences you might not be able to stay. This is something that will be discussed in your earliest reviews
• If your carer does continue to foster, there may be some extra rules that need to be added to your living agreement
• You will be expected to show that you are learning and using the skills you need when you do move out. For example, budgeting, DIY, cleaning and cooking

What we have to do to make sure staying put is an option for you.

• Provide the right support and advice:
  • So that you understand what staying put is
  • Have enough information to make the right decision for you

• Provide the right advice and support to your foster carer, so that they are able to offer good quality staying put arrangements
• Provide training to foster carers:
  • So that they understand what skills you need to move to independence
  • So they understand how to support young adults living with them
• Monitor that you are getting the right support from your carer, and that you are learning all of the skills you will need for a successful independent adulthood