Private Fostering

Do you care for someone else's child?    Does someone else care for your child?

If someone else is caring for your child or if you are caring for a child for someone else for 28 days or more, you could be privately fostering.

 

 

 

What is private fostering?

Private fostering is when a parent asks another adult who is not a close relative to care for their child under 16 (under 18, if disabled) for longer than 28 days.  It is different to a formal foster placement arranged by social worker employed by Staffordshire County Council.

Who might be a private foster carer?

Private foster carers may be from extended family such as a cousin or great aunt.  They may be a friend of the family, or the parents of the child's girlfriend or boyfriend - or someone unknown who is willing to privately foster a child. 

Why does Staffordshire County Council need to know?

A change in the law means that parents and private foster carers in Staffordshire have to tell the county council when a child is privately fostered.  It is our legal duty to make sure all private fostering arrangements are safe for the child. Once informed of the arrangement we will check the suitability of private foster carers, make regular visits to the child and ensure advice, help and support is available when needed.

If you think you may be privately fostering, know someone who is, or simply want more information, call First Response free on 0800 13 13 126.

To find out more about private fostering see the leaflet on the right hand side of this page.