Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the report, Keep on Caring published by the Government in July 2016, when his Department plans to undertake a review the implementation of the policy of staying put.

The department keeps the Staying Put policy under constant review by monitoring data from local authorities showing take-up amongst young people, engagement with the sector and looking at information from Ofsted inspections of local authorities. Staying Put was also considered as part of the independent fostering review undertaken by Sir Martin Narey and Mark Owers, published in February 2018.

Staying Put has been welcomed by care leavers and the sector. It is recognised by them as a positive initiative and has helped thousands of care leavers to transition more smoothly from care to independence, providing continuity of relationships and care arrangements. The department will continue to gather information from the national rollout of Staying Put and in light of this, refine policy as required.