Private fostering and kinship care

Private fostering: what professionals need to know

Professionals who work with children and young people may encounter situations of private fostering, and it is vital that these arrangements are recognised and reported.

What private fostering is

Private fostering refers to a private arrangement made by a child’s parent (or someone with parental responsibility), where:

the child is under 16 years old, or under 18 if they have a disability
the child is being cared for on a full-time basis by someone who is not a close relative (a close relative includes grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts)
the arrangement is intended to last for 28 days or more

These arrangements can be hidden from professionals and can leave children vulnerable, particularly if they have limited contact with their families. As such, it is essential to assess the child’s needs and monitor their welfare to ensure they are safe, well and cared for.

Legal responsibilities

By law, Westmorland and Furness Council must be notified of any private fostering arrangement. This allows the local authority to ensure the child is safeguarded and to offer advice and support to the carer.

However, many people—including parents and private foster carers—are unaware of this legal requirement and arrangements often go unreported.

Role of professionals

Professionals such as teachers, health workers and social care staff play a key role in identifying private fostering arrangements. If you become aware of a situation that meets the criteria for private fostering and you are not confident that it has been reported, you should notify the council directly.

How to report a private fostering arrangement

To report or discuss a private fostering arrangement, please contact the Westmorland and Furness Multi-Agency Children’s Hub by telephone on 0300 373 2724

Further guidance

For more detailed procedures, please refer to the Pan Cumbria Procedures for Children Living Away from Home with Other Families.

Resources and materials

Downloadable posters and leaflets are available to support awareness and understanding of private fostering:

Kinship Care

Kinship care is when a child is looked after by a family member or close friend, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle or family friend, when their parents are unable to do so. Unlike private fostering, which involves children being cared for by someone who is not a close relative for 28 days or more, kinship care usually involves children living with relatives and can be arranged informally or through the local authority.

If you are a Kinship Carer, we would love to hear from you. For more details see out Kinship Care poster.