What happens when a staying put arrangement comes to an end?

When a Staying Put arrangement comes to an end, the young person normally moves into a more independent housing arrangement, with the transition managed through their pathway plan and leaving-care support. The ending should be planned rather than treated as an automatic eviction: the young person, former foster carer, personal adviser and local authority should agree the timescale, accommodation, practical arrangements and support needed for the next stage.

In England, Staying Put arrangements usually continue until the young person reaches 21, although an arrangement can end earlier if everyone agrees or if it can no longer safely or practically continue. The precise arrangements depend on the young person’s circumstances, the terms agreed with the local authority and the availability of suitable housing. A young person should not be left without somewhere safe to live simply because the arrangement is ending.

Before the move, the personal adviser should help establish:

• where the young person will live and whether the accommodation is suitable for their age, needs and level of independence;
• how rent, deposits, bills, furnishings and moving costs will be managed;
• whether the young person needs help claiming benefits or applying for financial assistance;
• how they will continue education, training or employment without an avoidable disruption;
• who to contact if the accommodation breaks down or they face homelessness; and
• what support will remain available after the move, including contact with a personal adviser.

Possible next steps include a tenancy or supported accommodation, a place in shared housing, purpose-built accommodation for care leavers, university or college accommodation, or returning to live with family where this is safe and appropriate. Some young people may need a gradual move, such as temporary supported housing or an arrangement that allows them to maintain contact with their former foster carer while they settle elsewhere. The most suitable option should be based on assessed needs rather than simply the first vacancy available.

The financial arrangements also change. Staying Put is not the same as foster care, so the former foster carer does not continue to receive fostering payments automatically once the arrangement has ended. The young person may need to manage rent and household costs independently, while the local authority considers any leaving-care assistance available under the pathway plan. Benefit entitlement can depend on age, education, employment, income, disability and housing circumstances, so it is important to obtain current advice rather than rely on assumptions about Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.

A former foster carer can still have an important role after the move. They may remain a trusted adult, provide practical advice, or offer agreed contact and occasional help. This is different from continuing to provide a Staying Put placement. Any ongoing contact should be discussed openly, with clear boundaries around visits, overnight stays, money, keys, personal belongings and responsibilities in an emergency. A written agreement can prevent misunderstandings for both the young person and the former foster carer.

If the arrangement ends because of conflict, safeguarding concerns, unpaid charges or a serious breakdown in communication, the local authority should be told immediately. The young person’s personal adviser should help identify emergency accommodation and review the pathway plan. A former foster carer should not use an abrupt departure as the only response to a difficulty where there is a safe alternative; concerns should be raised with the supervising social worker or local authority so that risks can be assessed and recorded.

Young people with additional needs may require more carefully coordinated support. This could include an adult social care assessment, help with mental health, support for a disability, adapted accommodation or assistance with managing daily tasks. Where a young person is studying, their education provider may also have accommodation and welfare services that can contribute to the plan.

Useful questions to settle before the arrangement ends include:

• What is the confirmed move date, and what happens if the new accommodation is delayed?
• Who will pay rent, utilities, council tax or other household costs?
• What furniture, documents and belongings will the young person take?
• How will applications for benefits, housing and identification documents be completed?
• Who is the emergency contact after the move?
• When will the pathway plan next be reviewed?
• What contact will continue with the former foster carer and other important adults?

Leaving the foster carer’s home is therefore one stage in a wider transition, not the end of all support. The young person should have a clear record of their pathway plan, personal adviser’s details, housing information and any agreed financial help. If the plan is unclear, accommodation is unsuitable or the young person is at risk of homelessness, they should contact their personal adviser and the local authority children’s services department and ask for the situation to be reviewed.