Private fostering

A privately fostered child is a child under 16 (or 18 if disabled) who is cared for:

1. by an adult in the adult's home for 28 days or more AND
2. who is not: a parent, step parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sister or brother.

A private foster carer may be a cousin or great aunt, friend of the family, or someone who has agreed to take care of the child by private arrangement with out the involvement of the Local Authority.

A child who is Looked After by a local authority or placed in a children's home, hospital or school is not privately fostered.

In a private fostering arrangement, the parent still holds Parental Responsibility.

What to do if a child is Privately Fostered.

The law requires that the Local Authority should be notified of all private fostering by:

1. Those who intend to privately foster a child
2. The parents or people with parental responsibility for the child
3. Anyone who has knowledge that a child is privately fostered, this includes health workers, teachers and all professionals.

You could be breaking the law if you fail to notify the Local Authority of a private fostering arrangement.

How and when to notify the Local Authority.

The Local Authority should be notified by telephoning the Contact Centre on 255 8250. They will take the details and arrange for someone to visit you.

Professionals should notify Children Families and Social care on the Interagency Referral form.

1. 6 weeks before the arrangements are to begin, but not more than 13 weeks before.
2. Immediately if it is to begin within 6 weeks
3. Within 48 hours of the proposed start date
4. Immediately once a person is aware of a private fostering situation.

Notification must provide the following information:

Child details: name, gender, DOB. Place of birth, religion, racial origin, cultural and linguistic background.

Address and Name details both current and any over the last 5 years of :

1. the person giving notice
2. the carer
3. any parent or persons with PR of the child
4. any brothers or sisters under 18 years old
5. anyone else who is involved with making the arrangements either directly or indirectly

Other Details:

1. the expected start date of the arrangements 2. the expected duration of the arrangements

Details of carer:

1. Any convictions or disqualifications of anyone in the household 2. Details of any orders applicable to any household member 3. Details of any orders applicable to the child

What does the Local Authority do?

The local Authority has a legal duty to ensure children who are looked after by someone else are safe and well.

We need to :

Ensure your home and household are a suitable place for the child.

Offer support and advice if required about looking after someone else's child.

Help you to meet the child's emotional , educational, physical and cultural needs.

Help you to work together with the child's parents for the benefit of the child.

Act if the care is not satisfactory.

For more information please see the linked documents

Private Fostering Statement of purpose 2009
This document is a description of Private Fostering Arrangements within Manchester City Council Local Authority.

Notification of private fostering arrangements
Private fostering statement