What is private fostering?
Do you have a child living with you who is not a close relative? Or is your child living with someone else for short while? It could count as private fostering which by law you must tell us about.
If a child
- Is under 16 years old (or under 18 if disabled) and
- Lives away from the family home for more than 28 days and
- Is not living with a close relative
- This counts as private fostering and you must tell us about it.
A close relative is a:
- Grandparent
- Brother or sister
- Uncle or aunt
- Step-parent who is also a full or half relation by blood or marriage.
Private fostering can include:
- Children sent from abroad to live with another family in this country
- Children at boarding school who stay with another family during their school holidays
- Overseas students who are living with a carer or host family for more than 28 days
- A teenager living with friends or in the home of a boyfriend or girlfriend because they are not getting along with their own family
- Children living with another family because their own parents are ill, in hospital for a long time or because of family breakdown.