Private Fostering
Introduction
A child or young person is defined as being privately fostered if they are:
- Under the age of 16 (or 18 if disabled), and
- Cared for and accommodated by someone other than a parent or close relative, and
- The arrangement has been in place for more than 28 days.
Close relatives are defined as:
- Step-parents,
- Grandparents,
- Brothers or sisters,
- Aunts or uncles (whether full blood, half blood or by marriage).
There are a variety of reasons why a parent may be unable to care for their own child on a short or long term basis and Private Fostering arrangement can be a positive response from friends and the local community to a family in need of support. However any child separated from their parents care is potentially a vulnerable group and we all have responsibilities to ensure the alternative care they receive meets their needs, welfare and safety needs.
What the Law says About Private Fostering?
The Children Act 1989 and The Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005 contain provision to promote the welfare of privately fostered children.
These place a responsibility on the Local Authority to work with:
- The child or young person,
- The private foster carer(s), and
- The child or young person's parents
To ensure the child or young person's welfare is promoted and he or she is safeguarded. Other agencies including health, education and immigration will assist in this task.
What Private Foster Carers Need to do?
It is a legal requirement for private foster carers to advise us of their intention to privately foster a child or young person at least 6 weeks in advance, or in emergency cases immediately after the child or young person's arrival. Private foster carers should also notify us of any changes in their own circumstances whilst they are caring for the child or young person.
Private foster carers also need to let us know when a child or young person leaves their care, giving the name and address of the person they are moving on to.
What Birth Parents Need to do?
Parents of a child or young person who is privately fostered must advise us of the arrangement as soon as it is made and also if the child or young person moves.
What we will do?
It is our legal duty to make sure all private fostering arrangements are safe for the child or young person, but we can only do this if we are aware of the arrangement. Once informed of the arrangement it is our job to check the suitability of private foster carers, to make regular visits to the child or young person and to ensure advice, help and support is available when needed.
Information for Professionals
For more details, please see Lincolnshire Children's Services Procedures Manual (Private Fostering).
Private foster carers are legally required to notify us but many still don't know that they have to. This means we are unable to make sure the child or young person's welfare is safeguarded. Workers from all agencies need to help us by ensuring they are proactive in identifying and notifying us of private fostering arrangements that they are aware of. If you know a child or young person is being privately fostered and you think we are unaware please notify us or support the parent/carer to do so.
