Private Fostering
It is estimated that 10,000 children in England are privately fostered. However, many of these are unreported, despite legal requirements under the Children Act.
If you are looking after someone else's child, or planning to do so, full time for more than 28 days and you are not the parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother or sister of that child, then you may be a private foster carer.
The law says you must tell the council if you care for a child under a private fostering arrangement.
This arrangement could be due to factors such as children coming from abroad for education or healthcare, children living with a friend's family after separation, divorce or arguments at home or teenagers living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend. It does not include children on weekend or holiday visits.
Your Questions Answered
Here you can find out more about Private Fostering.
Real Stories
Read real life stories about children who have been privately fostered.
