Raising awareness of Private Fostering

Private Fostering is not fostering with a private agency or an approved foster carer, it’s when someone other than a parent or a close relative cares for a child under the age of 16 (or 18 if they are disabled) for over 28 days. A close relative is an aunt, uncle, step-parent, grandparent or sibling, but not a cousin, great aunt or uncle or a family friend.

Here are some examples of what private fostering is:

• A child is sent to England to study English by birth parents remaining overseas
• Your child’s friend lives with your family as they have issues with their own parents
• The teenage boyfriend or girlfriend of your child is living in your home

It is a legal requirement that the local authority is notified about any private fostering arrangement. This is so we can safeguard the children and support the carers. Many privately fostered children remain ‘invisible’, and their needs go unmet.

Gloucestershire County Council’s private Fostering Awareness Week (24 – 30 July 2023) highlighted the vulnerability of children who are in unreported private fostering arrangements. We need YOUR help to increase the notification levels and ensure that the welfare of children is always put first in Gloucestershire.

If you wish to make a referral, or clarify whether an arrangement meets the criteria for private fostering, contact the Kinship Support Team on 01452 425320 or email pfostering@gloucestershire.gov.uk

For more information, please visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/privatefostering

Back to newsletter