PST

There are a number of guiding principles which should underpin approaches to staying put to ensure positive outcomes. These are based on, and further develop, principles set out in the good practice guide:

A staying put arrangement has a specific meaning in legislation.

About the guidance

This guidance is based upon the legislation, statutory guidance and standards that govern services for looked after children, care leavers, and fostering services in England.

Section one of the Staying Put Guidance - the implementation guidance - contains the following chapters which can be read at the following links: 

About criminal record checks

• Disclosure Barring Service for DBS checks (formerly known as CRB checks) in England and Wales.

Key points to consider

Fostering services are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of children they look after in foster care, therefore all appropriate checks during the assessment and approval of foster carers, including other adult household members and where appropriate support carers, must be given the utmost  priority and completed to the highest standards.

Fostering legislation

In England the main legislative body is the Westminster parliament and primary responsibility for fostering in England is held by the Department for Education. Read more about fostering legislation in England.

In Northern Ireland, the main legislative body is the Northern Ireland Assembly. Read more about fostering legislation in Northern Ireland.

Please use the drop down list to access details of key primary legislation, regulations, national minimum standards and guidance relating to fostering and foster care in England.

Key legislation impacting on fostering

Children Act 1989 This is the primary legislation governing looked after children and fostering services.