Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (under 18 if disabled) is placed in the care of someone who is not their parent or close relative through a private agreement made between their parent and a carer, for 28 days or more. Close relative is defined as step-parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether of full blood, half blood or by marriage).

Legal requirements of private poster carers

If you become a private foster carer, that is you have been looking after someone else's child for 28 days or more, the law requires you to notify your local council.

You have to do this as soon as you know that the arrangement between yourself and the child's parent or close relative will be in place for longer than 28 days.

You also have to inform your local council when the child leaves your care, providing them with details of the person into whose care the child has been placed.

It is an offence not to notify local council of a private fostering arrangement.

What the local council does with the information

All councils are legally required to ensure that all children being privately fostered are being cared for by suitable carers in an appropriate environment. To do this they will regularly visit the home to speak to the private foster carer and child in their home.
They will also speak to the parents.
This is important to make sure the child is safe and their needs are being met, as in some cases it may not be possible for the parent to know how their child is being cared for.

Local councils are able to provide help and advice where necessary. However,
if the local council thinks that an arrangement is unsuitable and the child cannot be returned to his or her parents, the council will have to decide what action to take to
safeguard the child’s welfare. This might mean providing support to the carer or, in some circumstances, taking the child into care.

Information you need to know about the child you are privately fostering

To help you understand the child and care for them in the best way you need information from the child's parents or close relative.

This will include:

• their early history
• their health
• eating preferences
• school
• religious, cultural or ethnic background
• hobbies