Private fostering
Children* are privately fostered when they are cared for on a full-time basis by adults, who are not their parents or a close relative**, for a period of 28 days or more.
In these circumstances, it is the responsibility of the parent, carer, and anyone else involved in making the private fostering arrangement, to notify their local council of the private fostering arrangement.
Upon notification, it is up to the local authorities to satisfy themselves that the welfare of children who are privately fostered in their area are safeguarded and promoted. They also have to satisfy themselves that the private foster carers are suitable and ensure that they receive any support and guidance that they may need to help them care for the child.
Further information is available at Somebody else's child.
The Government's new measures on private fostering in section 44 of the Children Act 2004 and replacement regulations (the Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005) came into force on 1 July 2005.
The new measures, along with the National Minimum Standards, are intended to strengthen and enhance the Children Act 1989 private fostering notification scheme.
They are also intended to focus local authorities' attention on private fostering by requiring them to take a more proactive approach by identifying arrangements in their area. They are expected to improve notification rates and compliance with the existing legislative framework for private fostering.
The 2005 Regulations for private fostering, the replacement Children Act 1989 guidance, and the National Minimum Standards are available below. Additionally, the Ofsted report provides inspection information on private fostering practices in local authorities from April 2007 to December 2008.
Documents
The
Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005
National
Minimum Standards for Private Fostering
Replacement
Children Act 1989 Guidance on Private Fostering
Inspection
of local authority private fostering arrangements 2007-08
Examples of good
practice from the Ofsted report on private fostering 2007-08
* children under 16 (or 18 if disabled)
** a close relative is defined as grandparent, brother, sister, step parent or
uncle (brother of one's father or mother, an aunt's husband) or aunt
(sister of one's father or mother, an uncle's wife).
This page was last updated on 14 April 2009
