Staying Put Arrangement

Manx Care will consider whether a “Staying Put” arrangement is suitable for young people who are in full-time education (post 18 years old) and wish to remain with their foster carers.

This policy has been written in conjunction with the:

• Children & Young Persons Act 2001;
• Isle of Man’s Children’s Services procedures; Leaving Care and Transition to Adulthood (Section 13.); and
• Supporting Independence St Christopher’s Isle of Man Aftercare Services;
• University Support for Care Leavers.

The Isle of Man does not have any legislation which mandates service provision for young people who have been in care after they have turned 18 years old. However, this procedure is based on best practice from the UK, which must be used as a guide.

This applies to all young people leaving foster care who are in in full-time education and are over the age of 18 years. This applies to all relevant children including children and young people fostered by family and friends.

At the age of 15 ½ years, a pathway plan must be undertaken by the young persons’ allocated social worker, in readiness for their 16th birthday. 

This pathway plan will assess how best to support the young person in moving into independence and will need to be updated, if a “Staying Put” arrangement is being considered for them post 18 years.

If the young person is currently living with a foster carer or a family and friend’s carer, a “Staying Put” arrangement will assist the carer in being able to support the young person after their 18th  birthday and up until the age of 25 years, as long as they are in full time education as stipulated by the Education Provider. This arrangement will need to be agreed by the young person and their carer(s). See Staying Put Agreement, Appendix 1.

Following the updated Pathway Plan and the consent to the “Staying Put” arrangement by the carer and young person, the young person’s allocated social worker will need to present the plan to Permanence Panel at least three months before the young person is to turn 18 years old.

Legally, the foster carer does not need to remain a registered and approved foster carer for a “Staying Put” arrangement, but will continue to receive advice, guidance and support from the Family Placement Service on an individual case basis. The Aftercare Service will support the young person when requested.

Due to the change in circumstances of a Staying Put arrangement, carers will need to return to Fostering Panel to discuss their continued approval, registration and any changes. A “Staying Put” allowance of up to £270 per week, depending on the contributions made by the young person, will then be paid to the carer as a contribution towards the living costs of the young person remaining in their care. This is only payable when the young person is resident with the carer. For example, this allowance will not be paid if the young person is living away whilst attending university in the UK. The “Staying Put” carer will need to inform the After Care Worker or the Family Placement Team as to when the young person will be staying with them.

If the young person is receiving income from work, benefits or Jobseeker’s Allowance then they would be expected to contribute to the cost and the staying put allowance would reflect this. This will be formalised in the Staying Put Agreement. Please see Appendix 1.

Consideration will be given to financial remuneration when supporting a young person to make the transition to university. See pathway to university for looked after children, Appendix 2. Fostering allowances will cease being paid to the carer upon the young person turning 18 years old. 

Where there has been a gap in education and the young person wishes to return to higher education, the carer(s) can contact the Family Placement Service to request that consideration is given to a “Staying Put” arrangement. If this gap is longer than 12 months then this will be decided on a case by case basis. This can only take place, only up until the age of 19 years.

If the young person ceases full time education and/or turns 25 years of age, the “Staying Put” arrangement can no longer continue. The carer or the Aftercare Worker must notify the Family Placement Service without delay, to avoid any over payments.

In such circumstances, if the young person and the carer agree for them to remain living with them, this will then become a private arrangement and financial contributions will need to discussed and arranged between the two parties.

Appendix 1: Staying Put Agreement

Appendix 2: Pathway to University for Looked After Children Flow Chart 

Appendix 3: Process Map for Young People on a Staying Put Arrangement