Private fostering
What is a Private Fostering Arrangement?
A private foster child is a child who has been placed, through a private arrangement, with a family which is not related to the child, and the following conditions are met:
- The child is aged under 16 years, or in the case of a disabled child is under 18 years
- The child is being cared for and accommodated by a person other than a parent, a person with parental responsibility, or a relative. A relative means a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether of the full blood or half blood or by marriage) or step-parent
- The child has been, or will be, cared for and accommodated by the person concerned for at least 28 days
- The child is not looked after by a local authority or on behalf of a voluntary organisation
- The child is not living in premises in which a parent, a person who has parental responsibility for the child, or a relative who has taken on the care of the child, is living.
Do you need to notify the local authority of a Private Fostering Arrangement?
Many young people in a private fostering arrangement, parents or private foster carers are not aware that there is a legal requirement to notify the Local Authority of such an arrangement for their child.
If you know of a child living in a Private Fostering Arrangement please contact the East Riding Children’s Safeguarding Hub (SaPH) (01482) 395500 (out of hours (01482) 393939) to make a referral.
Private Fostering Summary for Practitioners (pdf 113kb)
Introductory video for guidance on Private Fostering - YouTube (external website)
The East Riding of Yorkshire Council Private Fostering Statement of Purpose can be downloaded:
Private Fostering Statement of Purpose 2023-2024 (pdf 221kb)