Post foster care arrangements

Young people in foster care have the option to stay with their former foster carers up to the age of 21 in England, Wales and Scotland. We’re campaigning to make sure these arrangements are fully funded across the UK, and brought into law for all fostered young people in Northern Ireland. 

Until the start of this decade, most fostered young people had to leave their foster home as soon as they turned 18. This is far earlier than young people outside the care system, who on average leave home at 24, and too early for many fostered young people who often need more support and time as they transition into adulthood. 

Issues with post foster care arrangements

Despite widespread acceptance that post- foster care arrangements are in young people’s best interests, there is still a range of cultural, financial and logistical obstacles in the way of delivering this policy. 

One of the key concerns is funding. Since the schemes started, all key stakeholders have highlighted that there is not enough funding to deliver them. Unlike for foster care, there are no minimum post- foster care allowances and many services reduce the allowance given to foster carers once a young person moves into a post- foster care arrangement, expecting the young person to cover the missing costs by claiming housing benefits. The loss of income from fostering fees can also be a major barrier to offering a post- foster care arrangement. 

Our recent State of the Nations 2024 survey found that three quarters of foster carers are worse off as a result of offering post foster care arrangements. 

The current situation places significant emotional pressure on foster carers to agree to a post- foster care arrangement with a young person with whom they have a strong familial relationship, even if they can’t afford to lose a significant proportion of their fees and allowances. 

Other issues include continued approval as a foster carer. Fostering services are unsure about recommending continued ‘suitability to foster’ for carers who do not have space to offer fostering placements in addition to post- foster care arrangements. Foster carers are often left in a position of having to seek re-approval when the young person leaves the post- foster care arrangement, a long and costly process. 

The Fostering Network's view 

• Legislate and provide funding:

  Governments should increase the maximum age for foster care arrangements to age 25 so young people can stay with their former foster carer if they wish and ensure that post- foster care arrangements are properly costed and fully funded. 

• Local planning:

  All local authorities in the UK should have a post- foster care policy in place explaining how arrangements will be funded and supported. Local authorities, in partnership with independent fostering providers, should establish contractual arrangements which include post- foster care arrangements. 

• Individual planning:

  Post- foster care arrangements should be introduced as an option in the care planning process as early as possible. 

• Preparing foster carers:

  Post- foster care arrangements should be raised with prospective foster carers during the assessment process. 

• Allowances:

  Minimum allowances for post- foster care arrangements should be introduced across the UK. 

• Fees:

  All foster carers supporting post- foster care arrangements should be paid a fee in recognition of their time, skills and expertise. 

• Housing benefit:

  No young person should start their adult life claiming housing benefits to be able to fund a post- foster care arrangement. The housing element of Universal Credit should be paid to the children’s service and given directly to the former foster carer so it does not impact on the carer’s tax or benefits. 

• Approval:

  Foster carers should be able to maintain their approval throughout the post- foster care arrangement if they wish. 

• Supporting transitions:

  There should be more clarity around what happens when a young person goes to university. Young people still need a home during the long holidays and carers should be given a retainer during term time. 

• Equal access:

  The Going the Extra Mile Scheme in Northern Ireland should be expanded to include all fostered young people, not just those who are in education, employment or training and commenced without delay. 

• Measuring change:

  Governments should carry out a full review of how post- foster care arrangements have been implemented. 

If you want to get in touch with our policy team about anything from this page please email us.