Why we are involved

A private fostering arrangement does not mean that your child is in care, but our children’s social care team would be legally responsible for your child’s welfare and must make sure that your arrangements are suitable.

The next steps after you’ve contacted us

Once you have contacted us a social worker will visit you and the private foster carer to discuss the plans for your child.

The social worker will complete a standard notification form and private fostering arrangement assessment record to check:

• the suitability of the private foster carer and the suitability of people over 16 living with them
• disclosure and barring service clearance
• the suitability of the home where your child will be living
• how long the arrangement is expected to last
• what your child feels about the arrangement
• what arrangements have been made for your child’s health and educational needs
• what arrangements have been made for contact between you and your child
• what financial arrangements are in place or are proposed

The social worker will also ask you to make a written agreement with the carer that includes any special arrangements and ensure everyone understands the details that have been agreed.

The next steps after the arrangement has been agreed

• the carer will have a fostering social worker to provide support and advice
• you, and your child (if old enough), will also get the social worker’s contact details
• the social worker will visit every six weeks for the first year and every 12 weeks after that

Financial arrangements

Any financial arrangements you make with the private foster carer will not involve us. The private foster carer can claim child benefit and child tax credit if you are not already claiming it. Financial responsibility for the young person, however, remains with holders of parental responsibility, usually the parents.

If the private foster carer is claiming any benefits they will need to inform the Department for Work and Pensions that they are privately fostering a child. They should also let them know about any money that they are receiving for private fostering.

What is private fostering?

It is when someone who is not a close relative looks after you and you stay in their home for more than 28 days (about a month).

Some examples of how private fostering might be considered best

• if you have been living with your friend’s parents for about six weeks because you are not getting on with your mum or dad
• your dad/mum has got a new job and works away, you still see your dad/mum at weekends, but you live with his girlfriend/boyfriend during the week
• if your mum or dad lives overseas and they have asked a friend to look after you in the UK so that you can get a good education

What can you do?

Check that your mum or dad, or the people you are living with, have told us that you are going to be looked after by someone else. You can speak to someone you trust, like a teacher, doctor, school nurse, youth worker, young people’s advisor, or another responsible adult.

Why do we need to know and what do we do?

We need to know that you are safe, being cared for properly and are happy with the people you are living with, so a social worker will come and see you and listen to what you have to say.

You will see them regularly and they are always available to talk to if you have a problem. We will also contact your parents to make sure they are happy too.

Having a social worker does not mean you have been taken into care.

Can I still see my mum and dad if I am with a private foster carer?

Of course you can. Your mum and dad and the person looking after you should sort this out and include you in making the arrangements. 

What if I am unhappy or have a problem?

If you have a problem, or are unhappy where you are living, you can talk to your social worker or trusted about your worries. 

What happens if I want to live back at home?

By keeping in contact with you, your social worker, parents and private foster carer, we will agree when this can happen - and we will continue to talk to you and make sure everything works out okay.

Why we are involved

A private fostering arrangement does not mean that the young person is in care, but our children’s social care team is legally responsible for the child’s welfare.

A social worker needs to be involved and they will provide advice and support to you, the young person and their parents. 

The next steps after you have contacted us

The social worker will request a completed standard notification form and will complete a private fostering arrangement assessment record to check:

• your suitability and the suitability of people over 16 living with you
• disclosure and barring service enhanced checks
• the suitability of your home
• how long the arrangement is expected to last
• what the young person feels about the arrangement
• what arrangements have been made for the young person’s health and educational needs
• what arrangements have been made for contact between the young person and their parents
• what financial arrangements are in place or are proposed

The social worker will ask everyone over 16 in your household to sign forms so that checks can be made with the disclosure and barring service, the police, the local council, local doctor and the education authority. 

The social worker will also ask you to make a written agreement with the parents that includes any special arrangements and ensure everyone understands the details that have been agreed.

After the arrangement has been agreed

If the arrangement is agreed, a social worker will visit you and give you, and the child if old enough, their contact details.

You will be offered support and training courses, and you can ask to be referred to the Department for Work and Pensions to see if you are entitled to any benefits.

You will need to think about how you will provide for the young person’s particular needs to help them develop a positive sense of identity, and if they have a different racial, cultural or religious background to you this needs to be considered carefully. This could include getting information in different languages or other formats such as Braille, large print or audio, and these are available from us.

The social worker will visit every six weeks for the first year and every 12 weeks after that. The social worker will also keep in touch with the young person’s parents. This will continue for as long as the arrangement carries on. 

Financial arrangements

Any financial arrangement you make with the parents will not involve us. You can claim child benefit and child tax credit if the parents are not already claiming it. Financial responsibility for the young person, however, remains with holders of parental responsibility, usually the parents.

If you claim any benefits you will need to tell the Department for Work and Pensions that you are privately fostering a child. You should also let them know about any money you are receiving for private fostering.

You must let the social worker know within 48 hours if there are any changes to the private fostering arrangement.

If the arrangement is not agreed

We can stop someone from becoming a private foster carer if we decide they or their home are not suitable. If that happens to you we will write to you explaining why.

If you wish to appeal against the decision you will have 14 days of receiving the written decision to do so. You should contact the social worker first, who will discuss the situation with the general manager and attempt to resolve it. If this is not successful you can submit a complaint to us. You can also appeal to the Family Proceedings Court.

We will also give the parents any advice and support they need about making alternative arrangements for the young person.