Care and support

Is someone else's child living with your family?

Do you know of a child who is living with someone who is not their parent or close relative?

If the answer is yes, then you could know of a child who is being privately fostered and you should read on.

What is private fostering?

Not to be confused with the care of children by local authorities through approved foster carers, private fostering is a private arrangement between parent and carer, where the child is being cared for and provided accommodation for more than 28 days by someone who is not their relative.

This could include:

• children sent to this country for education or health care by birth parents living overseas,

• children living with a friend’s family as a result of separation or arguments at home,

• teenagers living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend, or

• children whose parents’ work or study involves unsociable hours which makes it difficult for them to use ordinary day care or after school care.

The concern with private fostering is that the children might not be getting the support, protection and physical or emotional development that they need.