Private Fostering

What is Private Fostering?

Is your child under 16 years of age (18 years of age if the child has a disability), and living with someone who is not a close relative?

Are you looking after a child, but are not a close relative or legal guardian?

If you are, you are not alone.

If the arrangement is expected to be for 28 days or longer, this is a private fostering arrangement and you must tell Children’s Social Care.

Children’s Social Care has a legal requirement to ensure that children’s welfare is being safeguarded and to check on the suitability of the adults looking after them. If you are looking after someone else’s child for more than 28 days you are legally required to let Children’s Social Care know.

Anyone in Nottinghamshire who is privately fostering a child, or who has a child that is being privately fostered, and has not informed Children’s Social Care or was unaware that this was required should contact:

• In Nottinghamshire – tel 01623 433433
• In Nottingham City – tel 0115 9155 555.