Research and the experiences of care leavers consistently highlight how the quality of support these young people receive during the transition to adulthood shapes their future life chances. More recently governments have recognised the key role that foster carers, like parents, should play in this process.
New Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards give providers and individual carers more explicit responsibility for developing the practical and emotional skills which are vital for independence. Policies have been put in place to promote the active engagement of carers and the young people they look after in decisions about leaving care and planning for the future.
Yet, too many still leave their foster placements unable to cook, manage their own finances - and importantly without being emotionally ready to look after themselves well.
NAFP is aware that preparation and planning for transition can be challenging for some foster carers, and that it can become even more challenging when different professionals and organisations are involved.
Permanency in Fostering: a Briefing for Foster Carers (England), September 2012
Moving On, Staying Put – Foster Carers, Independent Providers and the Transition to Adulthood, December 2013
Staying Put in Independent Foster Care: working together, getting it right, December 2015
Reflections and recommendations on Continuing Care, December 2021