What is Staying Put in Foster Care?

A people and family happy teen boy with mother at home

A special arrangement, where a young person reaches 18 years old but they are not yet ready to move on.


At age 18, it is expected that a young person who is now entering adulthood will leave the family home and become independent, however, in some cases (and more often nowadays), 18 year olds are not prepared to go it alone, away from what they are used to.

 

Staying Put, given everyone agrees, allows a young person to stay with their foster family to maintain consistency in their home life whilst they figure out their next steps in life.

At The CFT our values are based on creating families that stand the test of time, and in our experiences families also are not prepared to part ways as soon as the young person turns 18. Although an informal arrangement historically, the Staying Put placement is now recognised by law and requires fostering agencies and the local authority to continue support for the entire placement duration.


Our family for life ethos is championed via the Staying Put placement type, enabling us to continue to support foster families as they navigate the sensitivities of entering adulthood and independence.

Outcomes of styaing put in foster care

The benefits young people gain from staying put shouldn’t be underestimated, this is a turbulent time for all teenagers but for children in care it can be especially difficult. Feelings of abandonment or lack of opportunity can often make them take backwards steps. Knowing they will continue to have a bed to sleep on, without condition, means they can focus on making the decisions that will form their futures.

 

There will be changes to the fostering arrangement now that the young person is no longer a foster child, these include the allowances received, but the support and training does not. Access to your social worker remains the same, but can be tailored to the young person’s requirements – you may not need as much support as you have received previously, these discussions can be had before and after the young person becomes 18.

To continue to support a young person beyond 18 shows dedication to the individual who has become part of your family, it can be the defining show of care that makes the difference between success and failure in independence.

Make an enquiry!

Become a foster carer

Staying put | Latest news

Foster Carer stories – Fighting for change

Foster Carer stories – Fighting for change

Societal prejudice that exasperates trauma As a population we often forget that children are in care through no fault of their own, and we brand them with societally held prejudices that exasperat...
A family is for life | Take action today

A family is for life | Take action today

There’s a 33% increase in care-leaver homelessness* Its time to improve policies to support care leavers. Become Charity, an outstanding organisation supporting children and young people in care a...
Can any of us really be foster carers?

Can any of us really be foster carers?

The notion that any of us with a spare room and a willingness to support young people is enough to become foster carers highlights the two very basic requirements to become carers. Are you 21 and...

Types of foster care

Fostering-Network
Your interview - What you need to know.
If you’ve been invited to an interview, it’s your chance to meet us, tell us about yourself, and take a step towards building your incredible career.
Your interview is your opportunity to learn more about us.
So come prepared with your questions. Plus its our opportunity to get to know you, understand your motivation to work in this sector and get a good understanding of your experience and background.
The first step.
Is either a face to face interview carried out in person or via TEAMS. If you’re successful, the next stage is a more formal interview with at least two members of our team. At least one of the interview panel will have been trained in the NSPCC safer recruitment standards.
You might be invited for a second interview.
Or we might ask you to prepare a presentation or other sample of work. Think about what the role requires and prepare to show you’re a great fit.
We’ll carry out a criminal record check.
Bring the necessary identity documents to your formal interview. The address on the documents should match the address on your application form. You’ll need proof of your right to work in the UK, you will be provided with a list of approved identification documents in line with The Disclosure and Barring Service and proof of your address.
Certificates!
Remember to bring any qualification certificates that are required for the role.
Previous slide
Next slide
Be a successful candidate!
Read through our hints and tips and give yourself the best chance at a career with The CFT.
Do your research!
Look at our website and check that you match our outlook and culture.
Apply via our application form.
We require a fully completed application form, we’ll ask for your full employment history from age 16, include all job titles, employment dates and your reason for leaving – and if there are any gaps, please tell us why.
We’ll need contact details of referees.
Referee's should be people you’ve worked with during the last three years. One should be your most recent employer. We’ll also need a reference from any employer where you’ve worked directly with children and young people and a personal referee.
We’ll carry out a criminal record check.
If you’ve lived abroad within the last ten years, you might also be asked to complete an overseas criminal record check.
If your application is successful.
There may be some more pre-employment checks specific to the role, but a member of our HR Team will be in touch to talk you through what’s needed.
Previous slide
Next slide