Private Fostering

Private Fostering is when a child under 16 (or 18 if they have a disability) is cared for by someone, who is not a close relative, for 28 days or more. It is private fostering if the child lives with someone from their extended family such as a great aunt or great uncle or their parents’ cousins.

A private foster carer may be a friend of the family or of the child, or another adult that the child doesn’t know, but who is willing to foster privately. It is not private fostering when a child is living with a close relative such as a grandparent, brother, sister, or step parent.

If any of these private fostering arrangements apply to you or someone you know then please contact Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s First Contact Team on 01702 215007 or email c&[email protected]