Private Fostering - What is it?

Private Fostering is when a child/young person under 16 (or 18 if they have a disability) lives with someone who is not a close relative for more than 28 days. A close relative is a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, aunt or step-parent. It is a legal requirement for parents and private foster carers to notify the Local Authority about private fostering arrangements in order for us to assess that children and young people are being safeguarded and to offer advice and support