Private Fostering
What is private fostering?
If a child is under 16 (or 18 if they are disabled) and living with someone who is not their parent or close relative for 28 days or more, it is called private fostering. A close relative is a step-parent, a grandparent, a brother or sister or an aunt or uncle. It can also mean a legal guardian or someone with parental responsibility.
It is not private fostering if the person looking after the child is an approved foster carer.
Private foster carers can be a friend of the family or someone who has agreed to look after a child they do not know.
Why we need to know about it
The law says a child’s birth parents and the chosen carers must tell us about any private fostering arrangement.
They have to do this as soon as arrangements for a child to stay for 28 days or more have been made — at least six weeks before the arrangement begins or as soon as possible and within 48 hours of a move made in an emergency. They also have to let us know when the child moves on and give us details of who they are with, and where.
What we will do
We will make sure the child or young person is safe and well looked after and that their needs are being met. We will also offer the private foster carer advice and support.
If you are considering asking someone else to look after your child, or you are being asked to care or are caring for a child, please contact the ASKK Team for advice.
For more information: call 020 8547 6587or email safeguarding@rbk.kingston.gov.uk