Private fostering

Information for parents

A private fostering arrangement doesn't mean that your child's in care. But our children’s social care team are legally responsible for the welfare of all privately fostered young people.

We'll make sure the person caring for your child gets the help and support they need, and check that the placement is suitable.

A children’s social worker will visit your child and their private foster carer a minimum of every six weeks, until the private fostering arrangement stops. The private foster carer will also complete a private fostering assessment, and you'll be spoken to as part of this process.

When a child lives in a private fostering arrangement, you don't lose any legal rights and responsibilities you have for your child:

• You're responsible for letting our children’s social care service know about plans for your child.
• You'll be part of any decisions made about your child.
• You're expected to continue to financially support your child.
• You should be asked for your views about important things like school and health matters.
• You'll be involved in any decisions made about your child.

You can end a private fostering arrangement at any point.

Information for private foster carers

As a private foster carer, you'll be responsible for the young person’s health, education, social, physical and emotional needs. A social worker will visit you, the child, and their parents, to discuss the plans for the young person and complete a private fostering assessment.

As part of the assessment, a social worker will ask everyone over 18 in your household to sign forms so that checks can be carried out. You'll also be asked to make a written agreement with the parents, so everyone is clear about expectations and responsibilities. This will include any special arrangements like:

• managing the young person’s health
• education needs
• financial support
• contact with the family

A private fostering social worker will visit you every six weeks. They'll speak with the child at each visit and will have regular contact with the parents to make sure everyone is happy with the plan. Meetings with the parents and professionals will also be arranged to make sure the child is doing well.

Information for professionals

Although it's a private arrangement, there are certain duties and responsibilities under the Children Act 1989 and 2004 to make sure that children who are privately fostered are protected. Professionals have a statutory duty in relation to private fostering, and must inform our children’s social care team if they become aware of a possible private fostering arrangement.

As part of your professional duty, you'll also be asked to:

• contribute to the assessment of the arrangement by providing relevant information about the child or carer when requested
• monitor the child’s welfare and progress, and provide support and guidance to the child’s carer in line with your agency’s remit
• be involved in ongoing liaison with our children’s social care team to address any welfare concerns or unmet needs

Statement of purpose

Our private fostering statement of purpose sets out:

• our duties and functions in relation to private fostering
• the ways in which these will be carried out

Read our private fostering statement of purpose.