Private fostering is when a child or young person aged
under 16 (or under 18 if they are disabled) is cared for
and provided with accommodation for 28 days or more
by an adult who is not a close relative. A close relative is
an aunt, uncle, step-parent, grandparent or sibling, but
not a cousin, grandaunt/uncle or family friend.
A private fostering arrangement is normally organised
between the parent and carer.
There are many private fostering situations. These
may involve children or young people:
- who are sent to this country for education or health care by their birth parents from overseas
- whose parents work or study long and/or antisocial
- hours
- who are living with a friend’s family as a result of
- parental separation, divorce or arguments at home
- living with their partner’s family.