About private fostering

Private fostering is an arrangement a parent makes for their child to stay with someone who is not a close relative. Theis is for children aged under 16 (or under 18 if the child is disabled).

The Children's Act 1989 says a close family member is:

  • a parent
  • adult sibling
  • grandparent
  • aunt
  • uncle
  • step parent.

A private fostering arrangement would be with someone who was not in those categories.

The private fostering period must be for more than 28 days.

Reasons to consider private fostering

You may consider private fostering if you want to send your child to be looked after by friends if, for example you:

  • live abroad and you want your child to go to school, or see a doctor here
  • need a break because you and your child are having trouble getting on 
  • need to work or study away for over 28 days

Parent' legal responsibilities

Although private fostering is very different from the foster care we provide through approved foster carers, you still need to let us know about it.

It's a criminal offence not to inform us about a private fostering arrangements.

It's important we know because private fostering arrangements can put children at risk unless the placement is monitored. Let us know what's happening so we can keep an eye on your child and make sure they're being looked after properly.

When to let us know

As a parent, you must tell us as soon as you intend to make a private fostering placement.

You need to let us know:

  • a minimum of 6 weeks in advance or immediately if it is due to start within 6 weeks
  • where an emergency placement is made, within 48 hours of the child's arrival
  • why the child has left your care and give the name and address of the person into whose care the child has moved.
  • the private foster carer must also tell us when a child leaves their care

You must:

  • exercise your parental responsibility by initiating and participating in all the decisions about the child while in the placement, and overseeing the child's welfare
  • provide the prospective carer with as much information about the child as possible, including health records, dietary needs, school records, interests and so on
  • provide us with information about the child, the private foster carer, their household and accommodation
  • agree how decisions are made about the placement, including finance, contact, health and education arrangements

Anyone else involved in making the arrangement must inform us as soon as possible after the event.

Our responsibilities

We have a legal duty to safeguard all children from harm and neglect.

With private fostering arrangements, we will check the suitability of:

  • the private foster carer
  • their household
  • the accommodation for the child

We'll visit the child regularly and make sure they're receiving a good overall standard of care, and that advice is available.

We also make sure that arrangements between the carer and parents are in place to protect the child.

Support for private foster carers

We are happy to offer you advice on your rights and responsibilities as a private foster carer, and to tell you what training and support is available for you.

We will also undertake the checks, assessments and visits required by law.

We can also give you:

  • advice about financial help
  • information about any local support networks for carers
  • support from a qualified and experienced social worker in managing the placement and conforming to the national standard