Private Fostering
Are you looking after a child who is not your own? You could be a private foster carer. A private foster carer is someone who is not a close relative who looks after a child under 16 (or18 if the child is disabled) for 28 days or more. A close relative is a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or step-parent. Any other relative such as a cousin or great-aunt would be a private foster carer.
Such an arrangement is made privately between parents and carers, however by law Children’s Services Contact Team it must be notified before the arrangement starts. If you are already looking after a child in this situation you must inform them straight away. It is an offence not to do so. However Children’s Services recognise that most people are not aware of this, so please do not worry about coming forward.
Children’s Services have a legal duty to visit the child and make the necessary checks to ensure that the home is suitable for the child you are looking after. If you think that this applies to you, please contact the Children’s Advice and Duty Service on 01305 228866 or visit the website page: