Who reviews a staying put arrangement when circumstances change?

The local authority responsible for the young person’s leaving-care support normally reviews a Staying Put arrangement when circumstances change. The review should establish whether the current arrangement remains suitable, what practical or financial changes are needed, and whether the pathway plan and written Staying Put agreement need updating.

What can trigger a review? A review may be arranged when there is a significant change in the young person’s situation or in the household. Examples include:

• the young person starting, leaving or changing education, training or employment;
• a change in income, benefits, financial contributions or eligibility for support;
• changes in physical health, mental health, disability or support needs;
• concerns about substance use, relationships, behaviour or personal safety;
• a change in household membership, family circumstances or the foster carer’s ability to provide accommodation;
• changes to the property, such as repairs, overcrowding or a need for adaptations;
• tension between the young person and foster carer that affects the arrangement; or
• plans for the young person to move out, live elsewhere temporarily or return after an absence.

A review should also be considered if either the young person or foster carer believes that the agreed arrangements are no longer workable. They should raise the concern with the personal adviser, social worker or supervising social worker rather than allowing uncertainty to continue.

Who takes part? The young person should be central to the review and given a proper opportunity to explain what is working, what is difficult and what they want to happen next. The personal adviser usually coordinates the leaving-care support and considers how the arrangement fits with the pathway plan. The foster carer contributes information about the household, practical arrangements and any support they require. The supervising social worker can provide advice about fostering practice and help clarify the effect of proposed changes on the carer.

Other people may be included where their involvement is relevant and appropriate. This could include a social worker, education or employment professional, health practitioner, housing adviser, benefits adviser or someone who supports the young person. Information should be shared appropriately, with the young person’s privacy and consent considered unless safeguarding or another lawful reason requires information to be disclosed.

What is considered? The review should look beyond whether the young person still has a room. It should consider the full arrangement, including:

• where the young person will live and whether the accommodation remains safe and suitable;
• the level of independence expected, including cooking, cleaning, budgeting and household responsibilities;
• how privacy, visitors, overnight stays and use of shared spaces are managed;
• education, training, employment and travel arrangements;
• health, emotional wellbeing and access to relevant services;
• money, benefits, rent or other contributions and the support available to manage finances;
• contact with family and friends;
• how disagreements will be handled; and
• the circumstances in which the arrangement might end or require a planned move.

The review should identify specific actions, who is responsible for them and when they will be checked. For example, the young person may need help applying for benefits, the household may agree new arrangements for shared bills, or additional support may be put in place around education or mental health. Any change to financial support should be explained clearly, as local authority arrangements and the young person’s individual circumstances can affect what is available.

How are changes recorded? Agreed changes should be recorded in the pathway plan and, where they relate directly to living together, in the Staying Put agreement. The updated document should set out the practical expectations of everyone involved, including accommodation, contributions, support, privacy, household rules and arrangements for ending the agreement. Everyone should receive a copy and understand what has changed.

A review does not automatically mean that the arrangement will end. In many cases, it leads to revised expectations or additional support. However, if the arrangement is no longer safe or suitable, the local authority should plan the next step with the young person and foster carer. This may involve a temporary change, alternative accommodation or a planned move, depending on the circumstances.

If there is an immediate safeguarding concern, serious conflict or risk of homelessness, it should be reported promptly to the relevant social care professional or local authority service rather than waiting for a routine review. The priority is to protect the young person, clarify responsibilities and prevent an avoidable breakdown in the arrangement.