Private Fostering Week is the 4th - 10th July 2016

A private fostering arrangement occurs when a child under 16 (or 18 if the child is disabled) is cared for and lives with an adult who is not a relative for 28 days or more.

The Children Act 1989 defines a relative as a step parent (by marriage or civil partnership), grandparent, step grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt.

Private fostering is a private arrangement made by the parent(s), (or those with parental responsibility) for someone to care for their child because they are unable to do so (permanently or temporarily). This may be due to parental ill health, a parent going abroad or into prison, a child being bought to the UK to study English, the relationship between the child and parent has broken down etc.

There does not need to be an exchange of money in such an arrangement to make it a private fostering arrangement, although some parents may pay fees to the carers or provide money to cover their child’s costs.

The Legislation

The legislation in The Children Act 1989 and 2004 regarding private fostering is very clear.

Parents and carers are legally required to notify Specialist Children’s Services about any such arrangement they make and Specialist Children’s Services are legally required to assess the arrangement for its suitability.

Parents often fail to do so because they are unaware of the requirements and believe that this is a private family arrangement which does not concern anybody else. This lack of awareness means that many privately fostered children remain hidden and can be vulnerable, as in the case of Victoria Climbie who was herself a privately fostered child.

What to do

If you know that a child is being privately fostered you should tell the parent/carer that they must report the arrangement to their local Specialist Children’s Services at least six weeks before it happens or within 48 hours if the arrangement is current having been made in an emergency.

Referrals can be made by telephone on 03000 41 11 11.

If you as a professional know or believe that the arrangement has not been, and will not be notified, you should contact Specialist Children’s Services on the above number.