Private fostering – what is it?

You are probably familiar with council and agency fostering, but do you know about private fostering?

With various terms for different methods and types of fostering, distinguishing between them can be tricky. At Beacon Fostering, we seek to simplify the world of fostering. Here are some things to know about private fostering.

What is private fostering?

The term private fostering refers to when a parent arranges for their child (usually under 16, or 18 if they are disabled) to be looked after by someone who isn’t a close relative for 28 days or more. This can be a family friend, great aunt, great uncle, cousin or an unmarried former partner of the parent in question.

Unlike agency and council fostering, private foster carers don’t have parental responsibility for the child. Although the private foster carer makes day-to-day decisions, the child’s parent(s) can still decide on more important aspects of life, such as education or emergency healthcare.

Private fostering may be considered if the child’s parents are living abroad or studying in the UK, or the child themselves might be an asylum seeker, a refugee or a victim of trafficking. It can also be done for children and young people who attend a boarding school and do not return home for the holidays.

What is the role of local authorities?

Local Children Services need to be informed if a parent is considering having their child privately fostered. Like with council and agency fostering, a social worker will visit the home of the prospective private foster carer, and carry out background checks.

If you’d like to learn more about foster care in Merseyside, Preston or other areas of the North West, get in touch with Beacon Fostering today.