Member

When an amendment to extend Staying Put support for young people up to the age of 25 in line with Staying Close support was tabled in another place, the Minister refused, stating that they recognised the case made but felt the need to prioritise young people in residential care, who often have the most complex needs. That is all very well, but young people in foster care also have complex needs, and many young people are placed in residential care only because there are not enough foster places available for them, or, beyond the age of 21, because they have nowhere to go. Ofsted reported in 2022 that one-third of children in residential care had foster care on their plan when they arrived.