If you’re going to be looking after someone else’s child for four weeks or more and you’re not an immediate family member, you must inform your local Council to make a private fostering arrangement.
Without doing so, you may be breaking the law.
Rotherham Council is joining forces with local authorities, children’s charities and other organisations to raise awareness about during Private Fostering Awareness Week (4-10 July).
Private fostering occurs when a parent makes arrangements for their child to be cared for by someone other than themselves for more than 28 days. This includes extended family, for example a cousin, a great aunt or great uncle, a great grandparent; or a family friend. It does not include close blood relatives: a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt (whether full blood or half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) or a step-parent.
A child is considered to be anyone under the age of 16, or a disabled young person under 18.
There are many reasons why a child may be privately fostered, such as
- Parental separation, divorce or arguments within the child’s home
- A teenage boyfriend or girlfriend of your own child living with you
- Looking after a child whose parents study or whose work involves unsociable hours and they are unable to use ordinary day care
- Looking after a child who has been sent to this country for education
- Healthcare reasons by birth parents living overseas
Councillor Victoria Cusworth, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Rotherham Council said: “There are many good reasons why a child may need to be looked after by someone other than their parent or immediate family member but not everyone is aware of the legal requirement to inform the local authority when this is the case.
“Our role is to work with the child, their parents and the people looking after them to ensure they have everything they need and to point them in the right direction to get support. Our top priority, as always, is the well-being of the child.”
Parents and/or the people caring for the child must inform the Council six weeks before the arrangement is due to commence or at the earliest opportunity within that six week period. If the child comes to live with you in an emergency, you must notify the Council within 48 hours.
People can find out more about Private Fostering Awareness Week at information stands in the borough this week, or from the Fostering Rotherham website.
You can find Private Fostering Week information stands at:
- Morrison’s Catcliffe - Tuesday 5 July (11.30am - 1.30pm
- Costa Coffee at Retail World, Parkgate - Wednesday 6 July (11.30am - 1pm)
