Family Solicitors

The City of Wolverhampton Council is reminding the public that people who are caring for someone else's child – or know someone who is – must tell the council about the arrangement.

Councils have a legal responsibility to support children who are being “privately fostered”, so that help and support can be provided to the child and their carer.

A young person under the age of 16 or 18 who has a disability is considered privately fostered if they are fostered or are being cared for by someone who is not a parent, guardian, close relative – or other person with parental responsibility – for more than 28 days.

They are not privately fostered if the arrangement has been made with the council – or if the person looking after the child is an approved foster carer.

The law states that people must tell the council about a private fostering arrangement at least six weeks before it commences – or immediately if it is any later, or already underway, so that the council can ensure the child is being well cared for and is receiving a proper education. Their private foster carer is also given the help and support they need.

The City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Val Gibson, said:

“This is not about the council interfering and trying to take the child into care – this is all about ensuring the child is well supported and looked after, and that their private foster carer has the help and support they need.

Children can be privately fostered for a number of reasons – perhaps because their parents are overseas or are experiencing a difficult period in their life; or maybe because they have had family dispute and are living with a friend for a short time.

Private foster carers carry out a really important role and we can offer them support and guidance to be able to do this. But we can only do this if we know about it.

Many private fostering arrangements remain hidden, potentially leaving children vulnerable to abuse and neglect.

I'd therefore urge anyone who is either looking after someone else's child, or knows someone who is, to contact us as soon as possible, so we can ensure the child and their carers are properly supported.”

An arrangement is likely to be classed as private fostering if a child lives with a cousin, great aunt, great uncle or great grandparent, friend or neighbour, divorced step parent, a host family – for instance if the child is on an exchange programme – or is at an independent boarding school and the child remains there for more than two weeks during holidays.

Children are not classed as being privately fostered if they are living with grandparents, aunts or uncles, step parents or brothers and sisters over the age of 18.

Duncan Lewis Family Solicitors

Duncan Lewis family solicitors can advise on a wide range of family and child care matters, including: