Article: Private Fostering
Private fostering
Private fostering is defined as an arrangement that is made
privately, that is without the involvement of the local
authority. It applies to children under the age of 16 (or
under 18 if they are disabled), who are being cared for by
someone other than a parent or close relative, and is expected
to last for 28 days or more. This
leaflet provides information about
professional's responsibilities to notify the local authority about
private fostering arrangement
Definition of a Private
Foster Carer
Private foster carers come from a
variety of sources such as from the extended family, like
a cousin or great aunt. They may be a friend of the family,
for example a friend of the child's parent. For teenagers,
they may be in the care of the parent of their boyfriend or
girlfriend, or the private foster carer may be the ex-partner of
their parent. In some circumstances they may not be known to the
family. This is not an exhaustive list; there are other people who
could also be private foster carers.
When is it not a private
fostering arrangement?
It is not a private fostering
arrangement if the child is placed with a close relative as defined
under the Children Act 1989, such as a grandparent, brother,
sister, aunt or uncle (whether of 'full blood' or 'half blood' or
by marriage) or step-parent (Every Child Matters, 2005)
Time limit
To be defined as 'private
fostering', the intention is that the period of care will last
longer than 28 days and should be
continuous. However occasional short breaks would not be
considered as breaking the continuity.
Sharing
the responsibility
The private foster carer becomes
responsible for providing the overall day-to-day care of the child,
which will promote and safeguard the child's welfare. Private foster carers rights in relation to taking
care of the child come from the voluntary agreement made with the
person with parental responsibility for the child. The
overarching responsibility for safeguarding and promoting
the child's welfare still remains with the parent or other person
with parental responsibility.
Involvement of
the local authority
The Children Act 1989 places a
duty:
-
On parents to
notify the local authority of an intention to place a child in
private foster care. This notification should be not less than 6
weeks before the arrangement is due to start. If it is to begin
within 6 weeks, they must notify the local authority
immediately.
-
On a person who proposes to
privately foster a child to notify the local authority in
writing at least 6 weeks before the arrangement is to begin or
where the arrangement is to begin within six weeks, to notify the
local authority immediately.
-
On teachers, health and
other professionals to notify the local authority of a
privately fostered arrangement that comes to their attention, where
they are not satisfied that the local authority have been or will
be notified of the arrangements.
Children's Social Care has a
duty to safeguard the child and promote their welfare. This is
carried out by undertaking assessments, receiving
satisfactory required checks on the carers, and regularly
seeing the child or young person.
Action
by professionals
Make sure you know where a
child you are working with is living, with whom, and what their
relationship is with the child or young person. If you
know of a potential private fostering situation where a child or
young person will be unable to be looked after by their
parent refer to a social worker in the Fostering Team or call
01226 775876
Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board Policies and
Procedures are available
here