When a child/young person under 16 (18 if disabled) lives with someone who is not a close relative for more than 28 days, this is called ‘Private Fostering’. The law considers a close relative to be 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 when a private fostering arrangement is made. This needs to happen at least six weeks before the arrangement is due to start, or if the child/young person arrives suddenly, no more than 48 hours after he or she has arrived.
Private Fostering is a private arrangement that is made between the parent and the private foster carer. Private foster carers are not Local Authority Foster Carers and the children/young people within the arrangements are not Looked After Children.
Private Fostering Arrangements are frequently under reported, potentially placing this often vulnerable group of children and young people at risk.
Partner agencies have a responsibility to notify Essex County Council immediately if they become aware of any Private Fostering arrangement and are not satisfied that the Local Authority have been, or will be, notified of the arrangement.
Essex County Council may contact you and other agencies requesting information about the child and/or the private foster carers. A prompt response can help to make decisions about the suitability of the arrangement quickly, and ensure the child’s safety.
If at any time you become concerned about anything affecting the Private Fostering Arrangement, please contact Essex County Council immediately.
If you are the parent of a privately fostered child you are legally responsible for them and should involve yourself in all the planning and decision-making processes of the private fostering arrangement.
You must notify Essex County Council of the arrangement if the private foster carer has not done so already. They will assess the arrangement and if they find the arrangement to be unsuitable either during the assessment or afterwards, it is your responsibility to remove your child to a safe place.
You will be asked to provide the private foster carer with as much information about your child as possible to support them to care for your child and enable your son or daughter to settle into their new home with as little disruption as possible.
Staying in contact with your child is essential, either face to face, by telephone, post or email. You will need to tell your child and the private foster carer how you intend to stay in touch and how long you expect your child to stay in the private fostering arrangement.
You can make a referral to the Private Fostering Team at Essex County Council via the Children and Families Hub.
You can also download the Essex Private Fostering App on Apple or Google Stores.
Different types of kinship arrangements