Walsall Children & Young People’s Partnership

Private Fostering

To make growing up in Walsall as good as it can be

2

Definition of Private Fostering

A child or young person is defined in law as being privately fostered if they are:• Under the age of 16 years• Or under the age of 18 years if disabled• and cared for and residing with someone who is not their parent or a relative • cared for away from home for at least 28 days• and the arrangement is made between Carer and Parent

Definition of a relativeSister, brother, Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent, by blood, half blood, marriage or civil partnership

Definition of a non-relativeFriend, neighbour, lone step-parent (not

married), great aunt, great uncle, cousin, great grandparents,

Godparent, somebody not known to the child e.g host family

4

Agency Responsibility

• Teachers, health and other professionals should notify the local authority of a private fostering arrangement that comes to their attention, where they are not satisfied that the arrangement has been or will be notified

• The Initial Response Team should have knowledge of every child in the authority who are being privately fostered

5

Role of the Local Authority• Promote awareness of the requirement to notify

• Duties are supervisory and regulatory• Satisfy themselves that the Arrangements are satisfactory and the Carers are suitable• Does not approve or register Carers. Local Authority states its position regarding acceptance of the arrangement• May impose Requirements, Prohibitions or Disqualification• Visit child or Young People at statutory intervals

6

Private Fostering Examples

• A 15 year old has been staying with his girlfriends parents following an argument with his Mother. It was agreed that he should stay there until the situation at home had calmed down. So far, he has been at his girlfriends for 4 months • A woman is due to appear in court and expects to receive a custodial sentence.  She asks the godmother of her 6 year old son to look after him. The child is expected to stay with his godmother for at least 3 months.

7

Private Fostering Examples

• A 14 year old student from France will be visiting the UK on an exchange programme. The student will stay with a ‘host’ family for 6 weeks. • A man is father to a 12 year old girl. The man and his girlfriend have recently separated and he has moved out of the house they all shared. As he is now living in a small bed-sit, he has left the 12 year old with his ex-girlfriend, who is happy to continue to care for her, saying that it prevents her from having to change schools.

8

If you become aware of a private fostering arrangement …

• Contact Initial Response Service on: 01922 658170