1. Harvey Gallagher & Lucy Sweetman1
Staying Put –
the national picture
10th June 2016
NCCCTC
Harvey Gallagher & Lucy Sweetman

2. We have 99 members who care for around 86% of children in the sector2
About NAFP
Established in 2008, the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers (NAFP) is a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for independent and voluntary sector fostering providers, and the children they care for
We have 99 members who care for around 86% of children in the sector

3. Our session today An outline of the report3
Our session today
An outline of the report
Questions and recommendations raised in the report
Discussion: how can commissioners and providers work together to address the issues raised in the report?

4. 4
About the report
Commissioned to address the absence of the independent sector’s voice from discussion of Staying Put
Completed during 2015
Compiled through research, telephone interviews, 58 completed surveys and a focus group. Foster carers, commissioners and fostering agencies represented.

5. Key issues in the report5
Key issues in the report
Financial support for Staying Put
Communication and relationships
Clarity of policy and process
Timeliness and appropriateness of preparation and planning

6. Questions from the report6
Questions from the report
Is there a shared understanding of the purpose and character of a Staying Put arrangement?
Is preparation for leaving care being adequately provided by carers, by providers, by local authorities? What models are being used to support preparation for care leavers?
Is planning for Staying Put happening in time and on the basis of an adequate assessment?
Are local authorities adequately delivering their leaving care statutory duties when young people are in independent provision?

7. 7
Recommendations I
Providers and local authorities should work more closely to ensure that carers and young people are involve in care and pathway planning, and all review meetings once the pathway plan is established.
IFP carers should receive high quality training to help them support young people into independence.
Expectations of carers in relation to preparation and planning should be clearly communicated and supported.
Staying Put should be added to the National Fostering Contract as a variation and used by regional commissioning consortia for contracting with providers.

8. 8
Recommendations II
Local authorities should assess the impact of their organisational structures on the timeliness of their assessments and planning and make adjustments accordingly.
Government should, as recommended by the National Audit Office (NAO), review the implementation and impact of Staying Put and give consideration to a national framework for Staying Put allowances to carers.

9. 9
Table discussion
What can commissioners do to address the issues raised in the report?
Issues you might want to consider:
Financial arrangements and commissioning frameworks
Processes for the agreement of a Staying Put placement
Involvement of young people and carers in decision-making and appropriate provision of leaving care preparation and support

10. Round-up Main points from the discussion
1010
Round-up
Main points from the discussion
How do we go forward from here?
Keep in touch!

11. Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers
1111
Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers
PO Box 47299, London W7 9BH