Private Fostering - information for Carers

Information and advice for private foster carers

Introduction

This information is for people who look after children as private foster carers.

The aim of this section of the site is to help you to understand more about the law on private fostering and the role of Children and Young People's Services.

Are you a private foster carer?

Read the following 4 questions and answer YES or NO to them:-

• Are you looking after someone else’s child?
• Are they below the age of 16 (18 if disabled)?
• Are you a person who is NOT the child’s parent, grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, legal guardian or other person with parental responsibility?
• Are they going to be cared for more than 27 days?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to ALL these questions then your child is being privately fostered, regardless of whether the foster carer receives payment or not. If this is you, or if you are thinking about placing your child with private foster carers, please:

1. Read this information:

• What is Private Fostering
• Children and Young Peoples's Services Involvement
• Education, Health and Finance
• Working Together
• The needs of Black and minority ethnic children

2. Contact your local Children and Young People's Services office and speak to the duty social worker who will be able to provide you with more information and advice.

Contact Details

For Nottinghamshire

telephone: (01636) 433 433

email: privatefostering@nottscc.gov.uk

For Nottingham City

telephone: (0115) 915 5555

email: private.fostering@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Note

Being a private foster carer is not the same as being an approved foster carer for the local authority.