Looking after someone else's child: Private fostering
What you need to do if you think you're privately fostering
If you think you're privately fostering, or planning to have your child privately fostered you need to think about, you need to do the below:
If you're a parent or someone caring for a child
If you are a parent or someone caring for a child in these circumstances then you need to inform the Council about the arrangement.
Ideally this should be between 6 and 13 weeks before the child goes to live with private foster carer.
If the private fostering arrangement happens in an emergency and is likely to last more than 28 days, you must tell the Council as soon as possible.
If you're a professional and become aware of a private fostering arrangement
If you are a professional and you become aware of a private fostering arrangement, then you need to make a referral to the Contact and Referral Team.
You need to inform the child / young person and their family that you have a responsibility to do this.
Tell us about a private fostering arrangement
To notify the Council about a private fostering arrangement, or to get more information, please contact the Referral and Assessment Service:
The Contact and Referral Team
Phone: 0191 456 5010
Email: contactandreferralteam@southtyneside.gov.uk
If it's an emergency
Emergencies: If you need to speak to a social worker in an emergency out of normal office hours (before 8.30am and after 5pm) phone the Out of Hours Team on 0191 456 2093 to speak to a social worker.
What happens after the Council has been notified
Once notified, we have a duty to contact the child, carers and parents.
We will undertake checks and enquiries to make sure that the carers are suitable as private foster carers and they can meet the child's needs.
We will then conduct follow up visits to the child / young person and their carers every 6 weeks for the first year, and every 12 weeks thereafter and make sure that all appropriate support is in place.
The Council's role
South Tyneside Council wants people who arrange for their child to be cared for by someone who is not close family to let us know and get support.
Notifying the Council of private fostering arrangements is a legal requirement.
The Council does not want to disrupt the arrangements that you have made, but needs to know about the arrangement so it can check that children are safe and being properly cared for.
The Council also wants to make sure that you are getting the help you need.