Private fostering
If someone else's child is living in your home or if you know of a child living with someone else, that child could be privately fostered and you must let us know by using the contact details in the menu on the left.
- What is private fostering?
- My child is living in someone else's home
- Someone else's child is living in my home
- Our involvement
- Practitioner's responsibilities
What is private fostering?
Private fostering is a private arrangement that is made between the parent and the person caring for the child. It is not fostering where the local authority arranges for an approved foster carer to look after a child “in care”.
A ‘privately fostered’ child is one aged under 16 (or under 18 years if they are disabled), who is cared for by an adult for more than 28 days who is not their:
- parent
- close relative i.e. grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt or step parent
- legal guardian
Privately fostered children could include:-
- adolescents that have to live away from their family as a result of separation, divorce or disputes at home
- children who are living with somebody else because their parents are studying or working during unsociable hours
- children sent to this country for education or health care opportunities by birth parents living overseas
- cultural exchange students
- refugee children or teenagers living with the family of a girlfriend or boyfriend
- any child whose parents have made a private arrangement for them to be looked after by someone else
Further information about private fostering can be found on the British Association for Adoption and Fostering website.
My child is living in someone else's home
What must I do if someone else is, or will be looking after my child?
If your child is due to be cared for by a private foster carer you must:
- notify us (using our contact details) at least six weeks before the arrangement. If your child is already living with their private foster carer then you must notify us immediately
- ensure that the private fostering arrangement is safe for your child
- agree on financial arrangements for your child
- keep in regular contact with the private foster carer to make sure that your child is being looked after as you would wish
- if your child’s carer changes address, or if you decide to change carers you must notify us of this change immediately. If you do not notify us we will not be able to make sure your child is safe.
Someone else's child is living in my home
What must I do if I intend to, or already foster a child privately?
If you are planning to or already foster a child privately, you must inform us (contact details opposite) at least six weeks before the child comes to live with you. If you already have a child living with you then you must contact us immediately.
Information you must provide when you contact us includes:
- personal details of the child
- your name and address as the private foster carer
- the names of everyone aged over 16 living in your home.
Our involvement
We are responsible for making sure that all privately fostered children are well cared for and safe. We will do this by:
- making compulsory police checks on the private foster carers and anyone aged over 16 living in that household
- ensuring that the private foster carer receives the relevant support and advice required for looking after someone else’s child
- ensuring the child’s educational, emotional, cultural and physical needs are met
- helping parents and private foster carers to work together for the benefit of the child
- taking action if the care provided is not satisfactory.
We are not responsible for:
- the day to day care of your child
- any financial disputes between the parent and the private foster carer.
Practitioner's responsibilities
If you are a professional working with children, it is important for you to notify us (using the contact details opposite). If you are in contact with a child in private foster care. This will ensure their safety against abuse or neglect and will also help ensure that the child is being cared for properly.
Privately fostered children will come into contact with a range of professionals, for example they should be registered with a GP (local doctor) and if they are of school age then they should be attending school. All practitioners have a responsibility to notify us if they believe a child they are in contact with is in a private fostering arrangement. The notification should include the name and address of the private foster carer.
Email this pageLast modified by: Angela Fletcher on 09/02/2009