Private Fostering

A private fostering arrangement is one that is made without the involvement of the local authority to look after a child under the age of 16 (or under 18 if disabled), by someone other than a parent or close relative, for 28 days or more and can include those living with extended family members. So, this could be a child living with:

• godparents

• great-grandparents

• great aunts or uncles

• family friends

• step parents where a couple isn't married or in a civil partnership

• cousins or a host family which is caring for a child from overseas while they are in education here

However, a private fostering arrangement does not include a child living with:

• brothers

• sisters

• grandparents

• aunts

• uncles

• step parents where a couple is married or in a civil partnership

• mother

• father

• children and young people who are being looked-after by the local authority

It is a legal duty for parents or the private foster carer to notify the local authority whenever a child is not living with a close relative.

This should be done six weeks before the arrangement takes place or immediately if it is unplanned or has already happening. This is so the local authority can work with private foster carers to keep children safe and  also support anyone who is privately fostering.

Further information on private fostering can be found in the LSCPB Procedures.