Are you a private foster carer? Then you must let us know!

PEOPLE who care for someone else's child for more than 28 days should inform North East Lincolnshire Council of the arrangement because they might be classified as a private foster carer.

Private foster carers must, by law, undergo inspections to ensure they provide an adequate and safe environment to raise a child. So if you think you might fall into this category, you should contact the children's services phone line on 01472 325555.

The law states that a child is any individual up to the age of 16 years, or 18 years if the child is disabled. Close relatives are not considered private foster carers, so grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles or aunts are excluded. However, cousins and other distantly removed relatives do fall into the category of private foster carers.

Children who are not in the direct charge of their parents and are privately fostered by families or individuals outside of the council’s remit can be vulnerable to abuse and neglect. In the majority of cases the child is in no immediate threat. In some cases, children have been sent from abroad to live with British families in the hope of increasing their educational opportunities or are British-born teenagers who have cut ties with their parents and are living with a host family.

As well as seeking to ensure the safety of the child, the council offers many levels of support and advice to foster carers.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for Children’s Services, said: “It is a fact that a lot of people are simply unaware that they are privately fostering a child. Fostered children who remain hidden are at risk of suffering all kinds of neglect.

"It is important to all the professionals of Children’s Services to ensure the safety of the children in our charge. It is with this in mind that I strongly urge anyone who thinks they may be in this situation to contact us and make use of our vital support and advice. We’re here to help you and the child in your care.”

Under Governmental law it is an offence to not report the private fostering of any child in your home.