How do I know if I am privately fostered?
If your parents or close family member asks someone to look after you in their own home, as if you were their own child, for 28 days or more.
The person who looks after you in their home is called a private foster carer.
People who need to know about who looks after you and where you live
The local council needs to know who is looking after you and where you live.
The law says that the council must make sure that every child is safe and properly cared for. The best way to do this is to make sure that the local council is told about every child who is privately fostered so they can check that the child is well and happy.
Things your private foster carer must do for you
While you are living with them they should look after you as if you were their own child. They must do all the everyday things for you that parents do for their own children.
- Give you regular meals – like breakfast, lunch and supper
- Make sure that your hair and skin are properly looked after
- Make sure you have warm clean clothes and a bed of your own
- Make sure you go to school so you can learn
- Take you to the doctor or the hospital if you are sick or injured, or if you need vaccinations
- Take you to the dentist so your teeth are looked after properly
- Make sure you have a chance to make friends and to enjoy sports and hobbies that you like
- Help you stay in touch with your family
- Help you follow your religion and customs that are important to you and your family
Your private foster carers must also respect the things that are important to you and your family. If you have religious customs like special prayer times or special foods that you eat, your private foster carers should respect these things and help you to follow these customs. They must help you learn about your culture and meet people from your community who speak your language.
Things a private foster carers must not do
You are still the child of your own parents. Your private foster carers must not:
- change your name
- change your school
- move you to another family
- take you to another part of this country
- take you overseas to another country without telling your parents and asking their permission.
When someone gives permission it means they have said “yes” to the thing they are being asked.
If you need serious medical treatment, your own parents have to agree to this – unless it is an emergency and your parents cannot be contacted quickly enough. Then a doctor will decide what to do.
What to do if you are having problems living with your private foster carer
These organisations can help you if you need to talk to someone:
Children’s Legal Centre 0845 120 3747
www.childrenslegalcentre.com
ChildLine 0800 1111
This is a special 24-hour helpline for children who are in trouble or at risk of being hurt or abused. Call free on 0800 1111 or you can find them on your computer
on www.childline.org.uk.
Pupiline
Pupiline is a a website set up by teenagers for teenagers and provides information and useful links on a range of issues including bullying. You can find out more by visiting www.pupiline.net on your computer.
NSPCC 0800 800 5000
If you are experiencing a bad time at home, or being bullied at school, or if you are worried or scared about something, you can ring the NSPCC free on 0800 800 5000. You can find out more about them on your computer on www.nspcc.org.uk.
