What is Private Fostering?
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, grand aunt/uncle or a family friend.
Why must the Council know about a Private Fostering arrangement?
As from 1 July 2005, the Government introduced new legislation and guidance on private fostering. Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their child is in a suitable and safe private fostering arrangement. If a child will be in a private fostering placement for 28 days or longer, parents and carers have a legal duty to tell the London Borough of Tower Hamlets at least 6 weeks before the arrangement is due to start.
If the arrangement is due to start within 6 weeks or is already in place, then you must tell the Private Fostering Social Work Team at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets immediately.
The Law states that you must tell us of a private fostering arrangement within the timescales outlined above. This information will help us to ensure that the child is well looked after and does not come to any harm. Failure to inform the council may result in legal preecedings taking place.
Who do I contact for more information?
You can contact the Private Fostering Social Work Team on 020 7364 5006. This team can give you further information and answer any questions that you may have.
Find out more by reading our information leaflets below:
Click here to download our Private Fostering Statement of Purpose.
