Under the Children and Families Act, local authorities will be required to support young people to stay in foster care up to the age of 21 – so-called "staying-put arrangements".
Other provisions in the Act to protect the welfare of children include:
Robert Tapsfield, chief executive of the Fostering Network, said allowing fostered children to stay with a carer up to 21 will make a “real difference to the lives of vulnerable young people”.
“Today is a landmark day for young people living with foster carers in England,” he said.
“For years we have argued that care leavers should not be forced out into the world before they are ready, and we are delighted that the government has been able to listen to the strong case we have been making throughout this time.”
Tapsfield added that, following on from the change in England, similar changes to the law are also on their way in Scotland and Wales.
However, campaigners are calling for all children in care to be allowed to stay up to the age of 21.
In January, the government announced it is to explore the possibility of allowing young people to stay in residential care up to the age of 21.
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