Private fostering
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative.
Do you look after someone else's child?
Does someone else look after your child?
If someone makes private arrangements to look after a child who is not a close relative for more than 28 days, the law says that either a person caring for a child in this way, or the child's parents, must tell the local authority. This arrangement is called 'private fostering'.
When a private fostering arrangement takes place, Social Services have to visit the home to ensure that the child is well cared for in a safe and suitable environment and provide appropriate advice and support to the carer.
Examples of private fostering are:
- a child living in this country for educational reasons whose parents live overseas;
- a child living with a friend's family as a result of difficulties at home;
- a young person living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend;
- a child who stays with friends or neighbours for educational reasons when their parents move to work in another area.
To let Swansea Council know about a private fostering arrangement, please contact: Swansea Single Point of Contact (SPOC).