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The Fostering Network has a proven track record in supporting foster carers and fostering services. The Fostering Services Benchmark Survey(first collated in 2013) has proved to be an invaluable tool in assisting fostering services to focus on the recruitment and retention of foster carers in a time of economic austerity and changing demands of the types of foster placements needed.
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.
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:
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.
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.
