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Private fostering

Private fostering is when a child aged under 16 (or under 18 if they are disabled) is cared for and provided with accommodation for 28 days or more by an adult who is not a close relative.

Parents are required by law to notify the local council for where their child will be living at least six weeks before an arrangement begins or within 48 hours of an emergency arrangement starting. 

The person who is going to look after them is also required by law to inform their local council and the same timescale applies.

Three separate leaflets are available to download which explain private fostering.  They are aimed at:

• parents/private foster carers
• children and young people
• professionals who work with children and young people

For further information about private fostering, or to notify us about a private fostering arrangement, contact Denise Lingham on 023 9268 8087.

Associated documents:

  Information on private fostering for carers and parents  (0.15 MB)
Information on private fostering for children and young people  (0.23 MB)
Information on private fostering for professionals  (0.28 MB)