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<p>‘Staying Put’ has helped thousands of care leavers to transition more smoothly
from care to living independently. It provides continuity of relationships and care
arrangements, enabling care leavers to benefit from a stable and secure family setting,
and to prepare for independence at a more gradual pace, rather than facing a ‘cliff-edge’
at age 18.</p><p>The government keeps the Staying Put policy under constant review,
including through monitoring data from local authorities on take-up by young people,
engagement with the sector, and reviewing information from Ofsted inspections of local
authorities. Staying Put was also considered as part of the independent fostering
review undertaken by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers, published in February 2018.</p><p>The
latest data show that increasing numbers of care leavers are living in Staying Put
arrangements. In the year ending March 2018, 55% of 18-year-olds chose to Stay Put,
which is an increase of 4% on 2017. Furthermore, the data show that 31% of 19-year-olds,
and 26% of 20-year-olds were still living with their former foster carers, which represent
increases on the previous year.</p><p>In 2018 to 2019 the government provided £23.3
million to local authorities to implement Staying Put, with a further £23.77 million
committed for 2019 to 2020. Decisions on funding beyond March 2020 will be subject
to the outcome of the next Spending Review.</p><p>The government does not believe
that introducing a national minimum allowance for Staying Put carers is the right
way forward. Unlike children in foster care, young people in Staying Put arrangements
are adults, and may be in work or claiming benefits. These financial sources can be
used to contribute to the cost of providing the Staying Put arrangement, in a similar
way that young people who are still living at home with their parents may contribute
to the costs of running the household.</p><p>The government does not believe a foster
carer’s approval should automatically lapse after 12 months if they are a Staying
Put carer. We will communicate this message to the sector.</p>
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