Looking after someone else's child: Private fostering

Each example of private fostering will be different depending on family circumstance and needs.

Examples of why a child may be privately fostered include:

• A child living with a friend of his / her family because of separation, divorce or arguments at home
• A teenager living with the family of a boyfriend / girlfriend due to a family breakdown
• A child needing to be cared for because his / her parent has a long-term illness and is unable to look after the child
• A child from overseas staying with a host family while attending a language school, or overseas students at boarding school who stay with a host family during holidays
• A child needing to be cared for because his / her parent(s) work away from home or work particularly long / unsociable hours