What is private fostering?

The UK government defines private fostering as ‘‘an arrangement, usually, between a parent and another adult carer to look after a child or a young person under the age of 16 (or under 18 if they are disabled), for more than 28 days.’’ The definition doesn’t apply if the adult carer is a relative.

Examples of Private Fostering arrangements under UK Law:

• Parents who are studying or working unsociable hours and arrange for someone to look after their children
• An unaccompanied asylum seeking or refugee minor who is looked after by family friends
• Children who are sent from Africa to live and study with other families in the UK
• Children from Africa sent to the UK to attend language schools in the UK and are placed with a host family
• Children left in the UK with friends or neighbours whilst their parents return home to regularise their immigration status or have decided to return following an unsuccessful attempt to secure leave to remain in the country
• Children given out to white foster families under private arrangements so their parents could work or study