Private fostering is when someone who is not a parent or a 'close relative' looks after a child or young person under the age of 16 (under 18 if they are disabled) for 28 days or more in their own home.
It also covers children who stay at a residential school for more than two weeks of the school holidays.
A close relative is defined in the Children Act 1989 as a grandparent, uncle or aunt (whether by full-blood, half-blood or by marriage or civil partnership), sibling or step-parent.
Common situations where children are privately fostered
- Children with parents or families overseas
- Children with parents working or studying in the UK
- Asylum seekers and refugees
- Local children living apart from their families
- Children attending language schools
- Children at independent boarding schools who do not return home for holidays
- Children brought in from abroad with a view to adoption
Let the Council know someone is being privately fostered
Trafford Council’s Children’s Services must be informed if someone is being privately fostered.
A social worker will visit the home to speak to the carer and the child to ensure the child is safe, carry out background checks and make sure support is being provided.
Who is responsible for notifying the Council
The following people are required by law to notify Trafford Council’s Children’s Services of the arrangement:
- Birth parents
- Private foster carers
- Those arranging for a child to be privately fostered
How to notify the Council
Call Trafford First Response on 0161 912 5125 or email firstresponse@trafford.gov.uk.