Not living with your parents?

If you are under 16 (or under 18 if disabled) and your parents or carers have arranged for you to live with someone else for more than 28 days, you might be privately fostered.

What is private fostering?

You are being privately fostered if you are under 16 (or under 18 if disabled) and being cared for by someone other than your normal carers or parents for more than 28 days (4 weeks).

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Examples of Private Fostering

Below are some examples of situations that could lead to private fostering arrangements:

Children and young people living apart from their families.
Minority ethnic children with parents working or studying in the UK.
Children with parents overseas.
Children living with host families for a variety of reasons.
Children on holiday exchange.

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So when will I not be in private foster care?

If you are being cared for and looked after by a grandparent; one of your older brothers or sisters; step-mum or step-dad; or one of your mum or dad's brothers or sisters, then you are not privately fostered. You however might be in a 'Kinship Care placement'. For more information on Kinship Care see the children and families section of the Wandsworth Council site.

There are many other and different reasons why you might not be living with your mum or dad. It might be that your family needs help because someone is ill; or because living with your own family just wasn't working out because of arguments; or because people are worried about your safety. You might then be looked after by the local authority and placed in a foster home or children home. For more information about what it means to be 'looked after' or 'in care' go to www.itsallaboutus.info.

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So what should I do if I'm privately fostered?

If you think you might be a privately fostered child, you should tell someone for example a teacher, school nurse, doctor, religious leader, social worker, your carer etc who should then tell the local council. You could also tell the council yourself that you think you are being privately fostered.

It is the law that the local council should be told about all private foster care arrangements, so that they can make sure that those children and young people who are being privately fostered are being looked after properly.

The law says that the council has to be told at least six weeks before you are going to be looked after by a private foster carer. If you become privately fostered in an emergency, then the council should be informed within 48 hours that you are living with your new carers.

Children's Specialist Services at the council will work with your carers to make sure you receive the best care. Occasionally you will be visited by a social worker to see how things are going. Advice and support may be offered to you and your carers if any extra help is needed.

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Contact details for the council

If you want more information about private fostering or if you want to inform the council about a private foster care arrangement, please contact the following team:

Referral and Assessment Service
Children's Specialist Services (Previously Social Services)
Welbeck House
43-51 Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 2PT

Tel. (020) 8871 6622
Email: childreferraldutymanager@wandsworth.gov.uk

More information on Private Fostering can be found on the Wandsworth Borough Council site.

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Private Fostering Leaflet and Poster

Private Fostering Leaflet (January 2009)

Private Fostering Poster (January 2009)

Wandsworth Safeguarding

Supporting and Protecting Todays Youth

Not living with your parents?

What is private fostering?

Examples of Private Fostering

So when will I not be in private foster care?

So what should I do if I'm privately fostered?

Contact details for the council

Private Fostering Leaflet and Poster

Information for Children and Young People What is abuse? What to do if you're worried The Internet and mobiles Sexual health Bullying Weapons Drugs and alcohol Domestic violence Self harming Too thin or fat? Running away Young carers Children with disabilities Not living with your parents? Useful Links E-Safety Strategy Information for Parents, Carers, Families and Friends Information for Professionals working with Children and Young People About Us Contact Us Policies and Procedures Resources Training		On this page: What is private fostering? \| Examples of private fostering \| So when will I not be in private foster care? \| So what should I do if I'm privately fostered? \| Contact details for the council \| Private Fostering Leaflet and Poster Not living with your parents? If you are under 16 (or under 18 if disabled) and your parents or carers have arranged for you to live with someone else for more than 28 days, you might be privately fostered. What is private fostering? You are being privately fostered if you are under 16 (or under 18 if disabled) and being cared for by someone other than your normal carers or parents for more than 28 days (4 weeks). Top of page Examples of Private Fostering Below are some examples of situations that could lead to private fostering arrangements: Children and young people living apart from their families. Minority ethnic children with parents working or studying in the UK. Children with parents overseas. Children living with host families for a variety of reasons. Children on holiday exchange. Top of page So when will I not be in private foster care? If you are being cared for and looked after by a grandparent; one of your older brothers or sisters; step-mum or step-dad; or one of your mum or dad's brothers or sisters, then you are not privately fostered. You however might be in a 'Kinship Care placement'. For more information on Kinship Care see the children and families section of the Wandsworth Council site. There are many other and different reasons why you might not be living with your mum or dad. It might be that your family needs help because someone is ill; or because living with your own family just wasn't working out because of arguments; or because people are worried about your safety. You might then be looked after by the local authority and placed in a foster home or children home. For more information about what it means to be 'looked after' or 'in care' go to www.itsallaboutus.info. Top of page So what should I do if I'm privately fostered? If you think you might be a privately fostered child, you should tell someone for example a teacher, school nurse, doctor, religious leader, social worker, your carer etc who should then tell the local council. You could also tell the council yourself that you think you are being privately fostered. It is the law that the local council should be told about all private foster care arrangements, so that they can make sure that those children and young people who are being privately fostered are being looked after properly. The law says that the council has to be told at least six weeks before you are going to be looked after by a private foster carer. If you become privately fostered in an emergency, then the council should be informed within 48 hours that you are living with your new carers. Children's Specialist Services at the council will work with your carers to make sure you receive the best care. Occasionally you will be visited by a social worker to see how things are going. Advice and support may be offered to you and your carers if any extra help is needed. Top of page Contact details for the council If you want more information about private fostering or if you want to inform the council about a private foster care arrangement, please contact the following team: Referral and Assessment Service Children's Specialist Services (Previously Social Services) Welbeck House 43-51 Wandsworth High Street London SW18 2PT Tel. (020) 8871 6622 Email: childreferraldutymanager@wandsworth.gov.uk More information on Private Fostering can be found on the Wandsworth Borough Council site. Top of page Private Fostering Leaflet and Poster Private Fostering Leaflet (January 2009) Private Fostering Poster (January 2009)