Private fostering - Camden Fostering

Private fostering is an arrangement where a child or young person under the age of 16 (or under 18 if they are disabled) is looked after full time for more than 28 days by an adult who is not their:

• Parent, step-parent or legal guardian

• Grandparent

• Brother or sister

• Aunt or uncle

Private fostering is very different from a child being cared for by a council foster carer. It is an agreement between the child’s parents and a private carer to look after their child while the parent is away.

There are many reasons why a child may be in a private fostering situation, they include:

• living with a family friend because of a family crisis

• a teenager (possibly a teenage parent) is living with friends or neighbours

• their parents may be studying or working unsociable hours

• refugee and homeless children

• children with parents overseas

• trafficked children

The local authority has a legal duty to ensure that children and young people in this situation are safe and properly cared for. Under the Children Act, you must tell the local authority if you are entering into a private fostering arrangement.

Private fostering leaflet for parents and carers

Private fostering statement 2020-21