Let us know if you’re looking after someone else’s child

Duties and responsibilities of the carer, parent and local authority in private fostering

tell the local authority of their intention to foster a child at least six weeks in advance or, if arrangements are made in an emergency, within 48 hours
provide a safe and caring home for the child to live in
arrange medical and dental care and ensure the child attends school
help the child to keep in touch with their family and meet any religious or cultural needs as far as possible
tell the local authority of any change in their address, and of any person who moves into or out of the household
notify the local authority within 48 hours when the child leaves their care, giving the name and address of the person into whose care the child was moved

tell the local authority of the proposed private fostering arrangement at least six weeks in advance or, if arrangements are made in an emergency, within 48 hours
retain parental responsibility for the child, so they must ensure that the arrangement is suitable for the child, and that the carer has all the information they need to care for the child
be financially responsible for the child

allocate a social worker to the family
assess the suitability of the arrangement and communicate with the parents, carer, child or young person and notify them of the outcome
visit the child/young person every six weeks in the first year and every 12 weeks for the following years to ensure arrangements continue to be suitable for the child/young person;
provide advice to the carer and child/young person

Telephone: 0121 303 2621

Telephone: 0121 675 4806