Is someone else’s child living in your home?

Did you know that if someone else's child has been living with you for a period of more than 28 days, you are in a private fostering arrangement?

Anyone who is not a parent or close relative, who is providing accommodation to a child under 16 (under 18 if disabled) must contact their local authority.

You are classed as a close relative if you are an aunt, uncle, step-parent, grandparent or sibling, but not if you are a cousin, great aunt/uncle or a family friend.

Even though these arrangements are usually made privately between the parent or person who has parental responsibility for the child and the person with whom the child is to be placed, it is a legal requirement that the council is informed.

There are many reasons for private fostering arrangements to be in place. These can include, but are not restricted to:

• children or young people who are sent to this country for education or health care by their birth parents from overseas
• children or young people who are living with a friend’s family or non-close relative as a result of parental separation, death of a parent, or family conflict
• children or young people from abroad who attend language schools in the UK and live with a host family
• unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers or trafficked children or young people who are looked after by non-close relatives or family friends while their parents remain abroad.

If you live in Lambeth and think you or someone you know may be in any of the above or similar situations, then our Private Fostering Service is here to help you. We are legally bound to ensure that the children are kept healthy and safe and can provide information, advice and support to all those involved in the arrangement.

To let us know of your private fostering arrangement or for more information on Lambeth's Private Fostering Service please contact 020 7926 7081 or view our Private Fostering page.