18th birthdays are a huge milestone for any teenager, but for foster children, turning 18 often marks the end of their time in foster care. While some young people may be excited about transitioning to independent living, others might need a little more time with their foster families before moving on
That’s where ‘Staying Put’ comes in. Staying Put bridges the gap between foster care and independent living. It’s a stepping stone that helps young people get used to adult life before tackling it on their own.
Join us as we explore staying put in more detail, including what it is, how it differs from foster care, and the benefits it can have on young people.
What is Staying Put in foster care?
These days, in a typical family, it’s rare for a teenager to leave home when they turn 18. Even if they decide to continue their education at university, they can usually return to their family home when the semester ends.
This allows young adults to explore the world and learn what it means to be independent, all while still having the safety net of their home and family to fall back on if things don’t go to plan.
Staying Put is an arrangement that gives young people in foster care the opportunity to do the same and can alleviate anxiety about what will happen when they turn 18 and have to manage life on their own.
Also known as ‘When I’m Ready’ in Wales and ‘Going the Extra Mile’ in Northern Ireland, staying put arrangements allow a young person to continue living with their former foster family until they’re 21 or longer, depending on their circumstances and readiness to move on.
How do stay put arrangements differ from foster care?
When a young person turns 18, they become an adult, which means children’s services are no longer responsible for them in the same way. If they continue to live in your home, they essentially move from being your foster child to being an adult lodger under a Staying Put Agreement.
This gives them the chance to remain in a safe, stable, and familiar home while they gain life skills, qualifications, and work experience to help them become more equipped for independence.
Staying Put arrangements are made between the local authority, young person, and you, rather than through FCA, and the services they require are different. They will still receive support, usually until age 21 or up to 25 if they’re in education or training.
Another key difference between Staying Put Agreements and foster care is that if you foster another child while your former foster child lives with you, they’ll need a DBS check because they’ll be considered an adult member of the household.
Is there a fostering staying put allowance?
Yes – if your former foster child continues to live with you through the staying put scheme, you’ll receive an allowance from your local authority.
How much is the staying put allowance?
The amount you receive will differ depending on your local authority. Your young person will also be expected to cover some of their living expenses, such as rent, utilities, and food, using their income from wages, universal credit or housing benefits.
This also helps young people learn how to budget for their expenses, ready for when they start living independently.
Is staying put allowance taxable?
Like fostering allowances, fostering staying put payments fall under Qualifying Care Relief, which means they are typically tax-free.
5 benefits of staying put for foster children
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Stability as they transition to independent living
If you’ve been long-term fostering a child, they have likely become part of your family and feel at home in your household. This secure base helps them heal, grow, and look forward to a future without limits.
Now, imagine having to leave your foster home and your school or college, while at the same time running a household and cooking for yourself for the first time, and starting a new job, training, or education. Even with a pathway plan, doing everything at once would be unsettling and incredibly overwhelming. You might feel like you’ve been set up to fail, with no one to turn to when things don’t go as planned.
By offering your foster child a home beyond 18, you’ll be helping them navigate each step towards independence gradually, making the transition far more manageable. And because Staying Put Agreements are made in advance of a young person’s 18th birthday, you’ll also ease anxiety about what will happen when they age out of foster care, as they’ll know they’re still welcome in your home.
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Prevent care leaver homelessness
Young people who’ve been in care are at higher risk of becoming homeless, sofa surfing, or living in unsafe accommodation. In 2024, Become, a charity that supports young care leavers, shared shocking figures from Government data about the number of care leavers who are homeless.
It reported that between 2023 and 2024, 4,300 care leavers aged 18-20 were homeless – a 54% increase over the past five years.
Life on the streets is no place for anyone, let alone a young person who has already lost so much and is living with the trauma of their past experiences. Homelessness puts them at even greater risk of alcohol and drug misuse, poor mental health, and even death.
When you continue to provide a safe home for your former foster child, you protect them from becoming homeless when they age out of care. You also give them the chance to build a foundation that can safeguard them from homelessness in the future.
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The gift of a continued sense of belonging
Trauma can make it difficult for young people to feel like they belong, something we all need to reach our full potential. It may have taken years for your foster child to feel like they belong with you, your family and in your community. They may also have built local friendships and lean on support from community groups.
If your young person has to leave when they turn 18, there is no guarantee that they’ll be able to stay in the same area. This means it could feel like going back to square one to find out where they belong, which can be even more challenging if they’ve experienced multiple moves during their time in foster care.
If you agree for your young person to stay in your home, you give them the gift of a continued sense of belonging, which is vital for their confidence, self-esteem and personal growth. It also sends a powerful message – they are truly part of the family, and you value them so much that you want them to stick around.
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Your guidance and support for longer
Let’s face it, although 18-year-olds are considered adults in the eyes of the law, they are still teenagers who need guidance and support to navigate the world.
If you foster a teenager and they continue to live with you after 18, you have more time to teach them crucial life skills, such as cooking, budgeting and managing stress – everything that comes with running a home and being independent.
You may have already introduced your foster child to some of these skills, but when they start their first job, claim benefits, or attend university, they’ll have the chance to put them into practice, knowing you are there to help them if they need a little advice. And when the time comes for them to move on from the family home, you’ll know you’ve done everything in your power to prepare them for a successful independent life.
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Improved long-term outcomes
Staying Put agreements were first introduced in 2014, after trials through pilots between 2008 and 2011. According to an Action for Children report, during these pilots, it was found that “Young people who stayed in their foster home when they turned 18 were more than twice as likely to be in full-time education at 19 than those who did not”.
When young people leave care, if they’re faced with homelessness, a lack of stability, a lost sense of belonging, and limited support, it becomes far more difficult for them to continue education or training. After all, how can a young person focus on their studies when they’re worried about where they’ll sleep tonight, how they’ll pay their bills, or who they can rely on?
Staying Put Agreements help young people continue education and training, which can protect them from poverty, improve their outcomes, and give them the chance to have a successful and fulfilling life.
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FCA support for foster children reaching adulthood
At FCA, we understand the impact trauma can have on a child’s present and future. That’s why we apply a therapeutic approach to their care through our Team Parenting model. This supports their entire well-being and includes input from therapists, education leads, social workers and support workers.
When you foster with us, you’ll also enrol in our training programme, where you’ll gain the knowledge and skills to help children heal, grow, and prepare for life after care. Our support for children in foster care includes support groups, our young people’s forum, fun activities, and events, which are all designed to help children feel valued, heard, and part of a community.
We also run an AQA Awards scheme and employability workshops alongside offering opportunities for care leavers to become consultants. These experiences boost employability, build confidence, and improve prospects.
On top of this, every foster child has access to our Being in Care Hub, where they can find resources, guidance, and advice on education, well-being, and independence.
Want to learn more?
If you’re thinking about fostering and want to learn more about staying put and FCA’s support for young people ageing out of foster care, please get in touch! Call us on 0800 098 4148 or submit an online enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.
