What is Private Fostering?
A privately fostered child is someone fostered under a private fostering arrangement.
- The arrangement is made privately (without the involvement of a local authority)
- for the care of a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled)
- by someone other than a parent or close relative
- for 28 days or more.
- Private foster carers may be from the extended family (i.e. not a relative under the Children Act, so not an aunt, grandparent, step-parent or sibling) such as cousin or great aunt. They may be a friend of the family or any other person who is willing to privately foster a child
Who may be privately fostered?
Privately fostered children can include
- children sent from abroad to stay with another family,
- children from abroad attending language schools,
- asylum seeking and refugee children,
- teenagers who, having broken ties with their parents, are staying in short term arrangements with friends or non relatives,
- those living with host families, including children from boarding schools who may spend long summer holidays with such carers
- local children living apart from their families.
Whilst the Children & Young People's Service CYPS) does not formally approve private fostering arrangements it does have duties and responsibilities under the Children Act 1989.
By law the CYPS must be informed about all private fostering situations. The child's parent(s), private foster carer and anyone else involved in the arrangement are legally required to inform the CYPS.
The CYPS will work in partnership with the child, parents and private foster carer to ensure that the best possible arrangements are in place for the child.
This includes visiting the child and private foster carer, making sure the child's need are met and offering advice and support to the child, their parents and the private foster carer.
For further information regarding private fostering please contact the CYPS
Please click on the link below to read the Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) Children and Young People's Service statement on private fostering.