What is Private Fostering?
A private fostering arrangement is one which is made privately (without the direct involvement of the Local Authority) by the parent or person with Parental Responsibility for their child to be cared for by someone other than the parent or close relative and that the arrangement will last for 28 day or longer. This applies to a child under the age of 16 years or under 18 years if they are disabled. If the person who is to care for the child is a relative (grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle whether of full blood, half blood or by marriage) they are not classed as a private foster carer.
What sort of arrangements could be classed as private fostering?
Private fostering situations could involve:
- Children living with another family because their parents have separated, divorced or because or arguments at home.
- Children who need looking after while a parent is seriously ill
- Children whose parents come to study full-time in the UK and who cannot use ordinary day care
A private foster carer may be a friend of the family, parent of a friend of the child or a more distant relative than those referred to above. When such an arrangement is made, the private foster carer becomes responsible for providing day to day care of the child, but overarching responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the child’s welfare remains with the parent/ person with parental responsibility. The Local Authority has a duty to satisfy itself that the welfare of the children who are privately fostered is satisfactorily safeguarded and promoted.
What the law says about Private Fostering
The Children Act 1989 requires private foster carers and those with Parental Responsibility to notify the Local Authority of their intention to establish a private fostering arrangement. Teachers, health and other professionals are required to notify the Local Authority (Children’s Services) of any private fostering arrangements which come to their attention.
Privately fostered children and young people are potentially a very vulnerable group of children. Local authorities are inspected against the national minimum standards for private fostering.
What does the Council do when they are notified about a private fostering arrangement?
A social worker will visit to find out a bit more about the situation and check whether it does meet the criteria for private fostering. They will take some details from the private foster carer and from the child’s parent(s). They will have to be sure that the private fostering arrangement is going to meet the needs of the child. They will provide information, advice and support to the carers and the child.
Who do I notify about private fostering?
If you are involved in private fostering, or have any concerns about someone who may be a private foster carer, you should contact the Children’s Services Department for the area in which you live.
