|
Back To Top
Private fostering
If a parent makes a private arrangement for their child to be looked after by someone other than a close relative and has not involved the council’s fostering service or other approved fostering agencies - this is called Private Fostering.
Many parents may not realise that by getting another person to look after their child they are in fact making a private fostering arrangement and as such are required by law to tell the council what they are doing.
This page explains what private fostering is all about and what to do if you are a parent or a carer involved in such an arrangement.
Back To Top
What is private fostering?
Put simply, this is a private childcare arrangement made between the parents and a carer of their choice (who is not a close relative), where the child is:
-
under 16 (or under 18 if disabled);
-
looked after full time by the carer for 28 days or more.
This is not illegal, but you are breaking the law if you don't tell the council about this private fostering arrangement.
Back To Top
What if the carer is a close relative?
If the carer is a close relative, such as a grandparent, sister, brother, aunt or uncle, you do not need to inform the council – but if you are unsure about what is meant by a 'close relative', you must check this with the council before you enter into any arrangement.
Back To Top
Who would be considered as a private foster carer?
They may be a friend of the family, or the parents of the a young persons girlfriend or boyfriend – or someone unknown who is willing to privately foster a child.
Back To Top
Why do the council need to know?
Privately fostered children need to be protected from possible harm and to be looked after to a high standard. The Local authority has a duty to check that private foster carers are suitable people to do the job. This means we must:
-
Carry out checks (with the carers’ permission) with other professionals and with the Criminal Records Bureau. This is to make sure that children are protected from carers who may pose a risk of harm to children.
-
Check that the accommodation is safe and suitable
-
Where appropriate provide the parent and carer with the necessary help and support
Back To Top
Are there any people who are disqualified from becoming Private Foster Carers?
Generally, there are a number of circumstances where people are not allowed to look after other people’s children. Examples of the main reasons for being disqualified are:
-
A child of the individual has been the subject of a care order or there has been an order removing a child or preventing the individual looking after a child
-
The person has been convicted of certain offences
-
The person has been concerned with a voluntary or registered home, which has been removed from the register
-
The person has been refused registration as a child minder
Back To Top
What will happen after you have notified the Local Authority?
A social worker will contact you to arrange to visit you at your home within seven working days of your notification being received. They will try to ensure that the visit takes place at a time when all members of the family are present. If this is not possible, they may visit again if they do not see all family members during the initial visit.
During the visit the social worker will gather information to complete a form based on the information you prove to check all aspects of the child’s welfare and wellbeing are being addressed. Following the social workers visit, you will receive a letter from the Children and Families Service advising you of whether or not the arrangements have been approved. If approval is refused, the letter will include details of the right to appeal.
Children and Families Services can also impose requirements on private fostering arrangements such as the number, gender, and age of children; standards of equipment or accommodation; and arrangements for the care of a child. Children and Families can prohibit someone from privately fostering children where they are of the opinion that the person, premises or both are unsuitable.
If the private fostering arrangement is approved, the social worker will visit you and the child on a regular basis to check the arrangements. Visits will take place within one week of the arrangements being confirmed and then every 6 weeks in the first year and every 3 months thereafter. The social worker will also visit at other times if you or the child asks them to.
Back To Top
Carers – what you need to know
If you are looking after someone else’s child, you have similar responsibilities to the parent including:
-
Telling the council about the arrangement;
-
Making sure you have all the information you need from the parent;
-
Having a written agreement.
If the child leaves your care you must let the council know within 48 hours together with the name and address of the person who will be caring for the child.
Back To Top
Help and support
However, it is important to know that the council is there to support and help you for as long as the arrangement continues. You may also be able to claim tax credits and/or social security benefits such as Child Benefit.
Back To Top
Parents – what you need to know
If your child is being looked after by someone else there are three key things you must do:
Tell us about it.
-
You must inform the council about the arrangement at least six weeks before it starts (unless it is made in an emergency in which case we must be told within 48 hours). We must make sure that children are being well looked after and that we can protect them from abuse or neglect.
-
Remember, it is an offence not to let the council know within thetime specified.
Give relevant information to your carer.
-
Make sure you give the person who is looking after your child as much information about them as possible including such things as: health, eating preferences, school, hobbies, religion and ethnic information. This will help your carer understand your child and take better care of him or her.
-
Remember, parental responsibility remains with you and it is very important that you remain in frequent contact with your child.
Put it in writing.
-
It is always a good idea to put down in writing information about your child - this will help the carer understand your child’s routine, their likes and dislikes, any special needs they may have, or details of food allergies or leisure activities they like to do.
-
Remember, if you are unhappy about any aspect of your child’s care, or you change carers you must contact the council immediately.