For many young people, turning 18 does not mean they are ready to live independently. Staying Put allows young people in foster care to continue living with their foster family beyond their 18th birthday, giving them the time and stability they need as they move into adulthood.
This approach recognises that most young adults rely on ongoing family support well into their late teens and early twenties. By remaining in a familiar home, young people can continue to build confidence, strengthen everyday life skills, and maintain important relationships. This sense of security helps them focus on education, work, or personal development without the pressure of managing everything alone.
Why Staying Put matters
In the past, many care leavers were expected to live independently at a much younger age than their peers. Moving straight from foster care into lodgings or single-person accommodation often meant coping without the emotional and practical support that family life provides. For some, this sudden change made it harder to settle into education, employment, or training.
Staying Put was introduced to address this gap. It reflects a more realistic understanding of young people’s needs and recognises that independence is a gradual process. Having the option to remain with a foster family can make a significant difference to long-term outcomes and wellbeing.
What Staying Put aims to achieve
Staying Put supports young people by:
- Providing continuity of care within a family setting
- Allowing young people to move towards independence at a pace that suits them
- Offering a stable base to support education, employment, and training
- Encouraging positive routines, responsibility, and self-belief
- Ensuring young people have a voice in decisions about their future
AFA Fostering’s approach
At AFA Fostering, Staying Put is centred on the individual needs of each young person. Where appropriate, we support young people to remain living with their foster carers after they turn 18, helping them prepare for adulthood within a safe and supportive home.
This support is particularly important for young people who may need extra time due to continued education, emotional development, or vulnerability. Having a trusted adult and a stable home environment can offer reassurance and guidance during this important stage of life.
Staying Put is not about delaying independence. It is about providing the right support at the right time, so young people can move forward with confidence, stability, and a strong foundation for adult life.