Private Foster Care

Private Fostering
What is it and what do I need to do?

Private fostering is when;

• You ask someone else to look after your child full-time for more than 28 days
• You are thinking of looking after someone else's child full-time, or are presently doing so, for more than 28 days and most importantly
• You are not closely related (Aunt, Uncle, brother, sister, grandparent, etc) to the child or a step parent

If you fit into one of the categories above you are private fostering and 'The Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations 2005' state that you MUST inform us of any such arrangement.

If you are a parent, you must tell us if

• Your child is under 16 (18 if disabled) and;
• She/he is going to stay with a carer for more than 28 days and;
• The carer is not a close relative and/of does not have parental responsibility from the Court.

You need not tell us if

• Your child will be away from you for less than 28 days
• She/he is in a residential home, boarding school or hospital
• She/he has been placed with approved foster carers of adopters by a local council

If you are looking after someone else's child, you must tell us if

• You are looking after someone else's child, or are planning to and you
• Are not a close relative or
• You do not have parental responsibility and
• The child will be with you more than 28 days
• But not if the child is placed by the local council

Who else needs to tell us?

• Anyone who is looking after someone else's child (not closely related to them) as a private foster carer
• Anyone else who is involved in making the arrangements
• The other parent or anyone else who has been given parental responsibility by the Court, who knows about the arrangement.

When do you need to tell the council?

• at least 6 weeks before the arrangement is to begin
• if the arrangement is to commence within 6 weeks immediately
• if the child is already with you immediately

Why is this necessary

Privately fostered children need to be protected from possible harm and need to be looked after as well as if they were with approved foster carers.  North East Lincolnshire Council must check that private foster carers are suitable to do the job.  This means that we must

• carry out checks to make sure that children are protected
• check that accommodation is safe and suitable

A social worker will be asked to visit regularly to see the child and try to make sure that the carer receives any necessary help. They will also keep in touch with the parents to offer help and advice.This is because the child's parents continue to be responsible for them.

We can also help the parent and carer make clear arrangements for decisions about things like medical treatment, education and contact with family members.

What will happen next?

When you have been in touch with us, then a social worker will contact you to explain what needs to happen and arrange a visit.

How do I contact you?

Monday to Thursday 09:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:00

Fridays 09:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:30

On telephone number (01472) 325555 or;

Visit us at :

Viking House,
Church Street,
Grimsby,
North East Lincolnshire,
DN32 7DD

All other times including weekends and bank holidays contact;

The Emergency Duty Team on (01469) 516016 or via email