Fostering and adoption

Who would be considered as a Private Foster Carer?

Private Fostering is a private arrangement that is made between the carer and the parent (or any person with parental responsibility for the child) to care for the child.

The child needs to be under the age of 16 (18 if disabled). The carer needs to be someone other than a close relative (definition of close relative is grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings and step parent if they have been married to the child’s parent). Anyone outside of this would be considered to be a Private Foster carer. The duration of the arrangement needs to be for 28 days or more.

Where to find help

If you are privately fostering, or intend to do so, you need to call our Contact and Referral Team at least six weeks in advance, or in emergency cases within four hours of the child’s arrival. If you think you may be privately fostering, know someone who is or simply want more information you also need to contact us.

• Telephone: 01606 275099

Why do we need to know?

The law states that all Local Authorities need to know of any Private Fostering arrangements to enable them to assess its suitability and monitor the arrangement. Cheshire West and Chester has a legal duty to make sure all private fostering arrangements, within Cheshire West and Chester, are safe for the child. Once informed of the arrangement we will check the suitability of the private foster carer or carers, make regular visits to the child and the carer and ensure any advice, help and support is available when needed.

Are you a Private Foster Carer?

If you are entering into a private fostering arrangement we need to know the following:

• the name, sex, date and place of birth, ethnic and cultural background of the child
• the name and address of the proposed foster parents and any previous addresses within the last five years
• the purpose and intended length of the fostering arrangement
• the name and address of the child’s parents or anyone else who has parental responsibility for the child
• the name and address of any other person involved in making the fostering arrangement (for example any other agency)
• the date the fostering arrangement is to begin or when it began

You also would need to let us know when the child moves on and is no longer living with you.

Further information