Private fostering
Private fostering is when a child or young person under the age of 16 (or under 18 if disabled) is cared for, and provided with accommodation for 28 days or more, by an adult who is not a close relative. Close relatives include aunts, uncles, step-parents, grandparents, siblings and step-siblings.
If you have a child or young person living with you for 28 days or more and they are not a close relative, this could be a private fostering arrangement.
If your child is under 16 (or under 18 if they are disabled) and living with someone else who is not a close relative for 28 days or more, this is a private fostering arrangement.
If you are under 16 (or under 18 if you have a disability) and living with someone who is not a close relative, you may be in a private fostering arrangement.
All professionals and agencies working with children and young people have a legal duty to notify the council if a child or young person is, or is going to be, in a private fostering arrangement.
