Private fostering
Are you looking after someone else’s child?
If you or someone you know is looking after someone else’s child, for 28 days or more, you might unknowingly be in a private fostering arrangement.
What is private fostering?
Private fostering happens when a parent arranges for their child to be cared for by someone else for 28 days or more - without involving the local authority. This applies to children up to 16 years old (or 18 if they are disabled). Parents retain parental responsibility but might be away for extended periods, have home difficulties, or their child may live with another family while attending school.
When is it a private fostering arrangement?
If a child lives with any of the following for 28 days or more, it is a private fostering arrangement:
- great grandparents
- godparents
- great aunts or uncles
- family friends
- unmarried stepparents
- cousins
- host families.
If this situation applies to you or someone you know, you are required by law to contact your local council to make them aware of your arrangement.
When is it not a private fostering arrangement?
If a child is living with a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, a married step-parent or a sibling it is not considered a private fostering arrangement and therefore you do not need to inform your council.
Why inform your council?
Most private fostering arrangements are through caring families or friends who want to support a young person and their family. However, there are a very small number of cases where vulnerable children may be at risk.
Notifying your council is a legal requirement, but you could also be missing out on support, training and advice on financial support. It ensures the child’s safety and provides the carers and parents with the support and training they may need.
What happens after notification of an arrangement?
After we are notified, we will:
- contact the child’s parents and carer/s to find out a little more about the arrangement
- provide all the information needed to help carers understand their responsibilities
- talk to those caring for the child, to make sure they can meet the child’s needs and to ensure that the child is living in a safe home
- complete some checks, including a DBS
- discuss available training and support for the carer and if needed
- signpost parents to support that they may need
- regularly keep in touch with the carers to provide support and guidance.
Who should inform the council?
Those with parental responsibility for the child and those temporarily caring for the child should inform us of their arrangement.
Others, such as professionals working with children in education, health, or social care, may also notify us if they are aware of a private fostering arrangement. You can read more about practice and legal guidance on the CoramBaaf website.
Contact us
If you would like to learn more about private fostering or to inform us about an arrangement, you can reach our fostering team by:
Telephone: 0300 300 8181