This week, (13 -17 July) is Private Fostering Week, which aims to raise awareness about the number of young people that are living in other people’s care as well highlighting the importance of letting their local council know.

If you are currently caring for someone else’s child who is under the age of 16 years (or 18 years if disabled), for longer than 28 days, then you are private fostering and must inform the council immediately unless you are a close relative. Close relatives include stepparents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles or aunts (related by blood).

Private fostering is an agreement between parents and carers but by law, the council needs to be informed by both parties at least six weeks before the arrangement begins.

Once the council is aware, they will be able to offer support through the process and be on hand to provide any advice.

Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration, said: “The welfare of the borough’s young people is extremely important to us as a council, and although the majority of private foster carers do an amazing job, we still need to know so that we can check that all the rules and regulations are being followed.

“The council has a duty of care and we want to ensure that that every young person is getting the required care they need in the right way.”

For more information contact the Private Fostering team: 020 8227 5988 or email privatefostering@lbbd.gov.uk