Looking after someone else's child: Private fostering

You still have parental responsiblity for your child after they have been privately fostered.

You should remain involved in all important decisions.

It is up to you to make sure the private fostering arrangements are suitable for your child.

Financial responsibility

As the child's parent, you are financially responsible for the child.

Financial arrangements should be made directly between yourself and the carer(s).

Providing information about your child

It is important that you give your child's private foster carers as much information about your child, including:

• family history
• previous life experiences
• medical history

You should agree arrangements for your child's care, including:

• their education - you must make sure you child receives full time education.
• their hobbies and interests.
• their health needs, and any on-going or upcoming medical treatments.
• which methods of discipline are and aren't acceptable to you.
• how the religious and cultural needs of your child are met.
• what contact your child will have with you and other members of your family. It's important you stay in frequent contact with your child while they are living away.
• how and when the carer will update you on your child's progress.
• how you will support your child financially.

You must contact the Council if:

• your child moves out of the house they are living in, or if someone else moves into the house
• you have any concerns about the level of care your child is getting

Support from the Council

Your child will be allocated a social worker, to make sure they are happy, safe and well cared for.

The social worker will arrange to visit your child and their carer(s).

Where possible, they will also arrange to visit you. 

After doing an inspection of the place your child is living, an interview, and speaking to other people who live with the carer, a decision will be made to determine if this is the best arrangement for your child.

Anyone living in the same household as the carer will need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) police check.

Enquiries will be made to guarantee the suitability of the private foster carer looking after your child.

Other agencies already involved in your child's care (e.g. school and health visitors) may be contacted.