Private Fostering

What is private fostering?

Private fostering occurs when a child or young person aged under 16 years - or 18 years if the child is disabled - is looked after for 28 days or more by someone who is not a parent, guardian or close relative. The term 'close relative' includes parents, step-parents, aunts, uncles or grandparents.

Private fostering is a private arrangement made by a parent - or those with parental responsibility for a child - for someone to care for the child because they are unable to do so.

There are many reasons why a child may need to be in a private fostering arrangement for either a short period or longer term. These include:

• A child living with a friend of their family because of separation, divorce or arguments at home
• A teenager living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend
• A child living with a school friend's family because of family breakdown
• A child needing to be cared for because his/her parent has a long-term illness and is unable to look after the child
• A child being sent to this country by his/her parents who are living overseas, for education or healthcare reasons.

What the law says about private fostering

The child's parent(s), private foster carer, or anyone else involved in setting up the private fostering arrangement is legally required to inform the Local Authority in whose area the child is placed that the child is being privately fostered. The Local Authority should be informed as soon as possible, and ideally at least 6 weeks before the arrangement begins.

The child's parents or guardians continue to hold parental responsibility for the child throughout the time that he/she lives in a private fostering arrangement. The parents or guardians should therefore remain in regular contact with the child and with his/her private foster carer in order to monitor the child's well-being and to ensure that the fostering arrangement is, and continues to be, suitable to the child's needs. He/she/they should continue to be involved in all decisions about the child's care and future. The child's parents or guardians should give the person who is looking after the child as much information about the child as possible, and there should be a formal agreement about the duration of the placement, the financial arrangements, and the care arrangements. It is recommended that this agreement is set down in writing.

Why do Social Workers need to be involved and what will they do?

Under current legislation local authorities have a duty to check that all children who are living in private foster care arrangements are safe and well cared for. In The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, the responsibility for children living in private foster care arrangements within the Borough is shared between the Children's Services Teams and the Fostering, Adoption and Respite Service.

Our duties include:

• Checking the suitability of private foster carers and investigating the circumstances surrounding each private fostering arrangement
• Making regular visits to each privately fostered child in his/her foster home, to check on his/her welfare and monitor the overall standard of care provided. This includes listening to the child's wishes and feelings
• Ensuring that private foster carers get the advice and support that they need to keep the children who are placed with them safe and well
• Providing preventative and support services where appropriate.

If you would like to know more about Private Fostering, please click the following link and complete the Fostering Enquiries Contact Us/Self Referral Online Form or;

• To contact the team by phone ring 01628-683201
• Send your enquiry by email to adoption-fostering@rbwm.gov.uk.
• The address to write to is: Fostering, Adoption & Respite Service, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1RF

The current OFSTED Private Fostering Agency Inspection Report is available here.

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