Staying put
Staying put is the term used for young people who continue to live with their foster carer after they turn 18. A licence agreement sets out the terms of their remaining. They may remain staying put until they are 21 or completion of education in that academic year.
The carer (provider) receives an allowance from staying put for the support they provide to the young person whilst they remain living at home.
Rent or benefit for staying put or supported lodgings
The young person can no longer be a looked after child once they have reached 18. If the plan is for them to stay living with an ex-foster carer beyond this date, they would be expected to pay rent to them, and the accommodation would be viewed as a private lodgings arrangement in terms of the rent due. The young person would be eligible to claim benefit to help them to pay this rent if they are on a low income.
As stated in the The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations - Volume 3: Planning transition to adulthood for care leavers all allowances should be based on an assessment of need and be set out in the young person’s pathway plan. The plan must also highlight any attached conditions, how payments will be made, the frequency of payments and when they will be reviewed.