What is private fostering?
Private fostering is when a child or young person under 16 years old (or 18 if they have a disability) is looked after for 28 days or more by someone who is not a close relative, guardian or person with parental responsibility. Close relatives include parents, step-parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents.
It is not private fostering if the arrangement was made by Children’s Services, or if the person looking after the child is an approved foster carer.
People become private foster carers for all sorts of reasons. Private foster carers can be a friend of the child's family, or be someone who is willing to care for the child of a family they do not know.
Common situations
- Children, adolescents and teenagers living apart from their families
- Minority ethnic children with parents working or studying in the UK
- Children with parents overseas
- Children living with host families for a variety of reasons
- Children on holiday exchanges
Notifying Children’s Services - what the law says
By law, Children’s Services 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 Children’s Services.
People involved in private fostering must inform social services within the following timescales:
| If the child is not yet living with private foster carers |
six weeks beforehand |
| If the child will move in with private foster carers in less than six weeks |
immediately |
| If the child is already living with private foster carers |
immediately |
What should professionals do?
Professionals should ensure that Children’s Services know about all private fostering arrangements.
This includes a wide range of people who come in contact with children including teachers, religious leaders, doctors and health visitors. Professionals should also encourage the child's parent or carer to notify social services.
You will not be breaching confidentiality by notifying Children’s Services, but you will be helping to safeguard a child.
What will Children’s Services do?
Children’s Services 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
- Helping to make sure that the child's racial, cultural, linguistic and religious needs are being met
- Offering advice and support to the child, their parents and private foster carer
What next?
Please contact your local Children's Services referral team to find out more or to inform them of a private fostering arrangement.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Will I be entitled to any financial help?
A: It is the responsibility of the parents of the child to provide ongoing financial support to private foster carers to fund the arrangement.
Q: Can I claim benefits?
A: You can claim benefits related to caring for the child in the same way as you can for any of your own children living with you, for example Child Benefit. You can seek advice on the full range of benefits from your local Citizen Advice Bureau or Welfare Rights agency.
Q: Can the county council provide financial help?
A: The county council can assess a family in need and may provide temporary assistance, for example during a period of crisis.