Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the guidance, Staying put: arrangements for care leavers aged 18 years and above, published on 22 May 2013, what progress the Government has made on implementing the staying put policy.

Staying Put has helped thousands of care leavers to continue to benefit from a stable and secure family setting and to prepare for independence at a more gradual pace rather than facing a ‘cliff-edge’ at the age of 18. The policy has been welcomed by care leavers and the sector.

The latest data for the year ending March 2017 shows that 51% of those ceasing to be looked after in a foster placement on their 18^th birthday remained with their former foster carer. In addition, 25% of 19 and 20 year olds were still living with their former foster carers.