Private Fostering
Introduction
Private fostering is an arrangement between a child’s parents and the private foster carer. Children are privately fostered if they live with someone for 28 days or more or are placed with the intention that they will stay for 28 days or more.
Private fostering applies to children under 16 years old (or 18 if they have a disability) and doesn’t include arrangements made between the child’s parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles or step parents. All other relatives would be considered private fostering.
London Borough of Redbridge Children’s Services, once alerted to a private fostering arrangement, will check upon the suitability of the prospective foster carers and other members of their household. They will arrange a visit to household and offer advice to the foster carers, ensuring that the standard of care that the child or young person receives is appropriate.
Making a Notification
As a professional, if you become aware of a private fostering arrangement in Redbridge please contact the Child Protection and Assessment Team (CPAT) on 020 8708 3885 (09:00 to 17:00 weekdays) or 020 8708 5897 (evenings and weekends) or e-mail cpat.referrals@redbridge.gov.uk.
Training
More information can be found on Private Fostering on the Council’s website or come along to one of our Private Fostering Briefings held as part of the LSCB Training Programme.
Resources
LSCB Private Fostering Information Pack:
- LSCB – Covering Letter from Independent Chair – Private Fostering Information Pack (PDF 380KB)
- LSCB – Private Fostering – Quck Guide for Professionals (PDF 730KB)
- LSCB – Private Fostering Presentation for agencies use (PDF 247KB)
- What is Private Fostering? Poster (PDF 653KB)
- What is Private Fostering? Flyer (PDF 551KB)
Other information and resources:
- Private Fostering – Leaflet for Professionals (PDF 1MB)
- Somebody Else’s Child – short film about private fostering