A private fostering arrangement is when children under the age of 16, or 18 in the case of disabled children, are looked after for more than 28 days by someone who isn't their parent, a close relative or someone else with parental responsibility.
The person looking after the child handles daily care and makes sure the child is safe and well, but those with parental responsibility are still responsible for the child's welfare overall.
Examples of privately fostered children
Privately fostered children include:
- Children sent from abroad to stay with another family for 28 days or more.
- Asylum-seeking and refugee children who are staying with non-relatives or friends for 28 days or more.
- Teenagers who are staying with friends or 'non' relatives for 28 days or more.
- Children on 'exchange' visits living with host families for 28 days or more.
Legal responsibilities for private fostering arrangements
It's the legal responsibility of the parent, carer and anyone else involved in making a private fostering arrangement, to notify us of the arrangement.
We're required to make sure that any arrangement is safe and will meet the needs of any child being looked after.
Find out about the legislation surrounding private fostering, our duties as a council and more in our Private Fostering Statement of Purpose.
Notify us of a private fostering arrangement
If you need to let us know about:
- Starting a private fostering arrangement
- A child living in a private fostering arrangement
- Plans for a child to move into a private fostering arrangement
- A situation you're not sure qualifies as a private fostering arrangement
You can get in touch with us using the contact details on this page.
Report a child at risk
If you feel a child is at risk you can report that to us.