Do you know a child being looked after by someone who is not a close relative?

If you do this is known as private fostering. Private fostering is defined as:

"when a child or young person under 16 years old (or 18 if they have a disability) is looked after by someone who is not a parent, close relative, guardian or person with parental responsibility for 28 days or more without the involvement of City of Wolverhampton Council."

Close relatives are defined as:

• Brothers and sisters
• Aunts and uncles
• Grandparents
• Step-parents

An arrangement is likely to be private fostering if the child lives with:

• Cousin
• Friend
• Neighbour
• Host family
• Great aunt/uncle
• Great grandparent
• A divorced step-parent
• Independent boarding school (if the child remains for more than two weeks during the holidays)
• Cultural use of aunt or uncle who are no blood relation

If you know of a child who is in a private fostering arrangement you have a legal responsibility to tell City of Wolverhampton Council. Please call the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01902 555392 to discuss it. Out of office hours, if you think that a child is at immediate risk, please call 01902 552999.

Click here for a copy of the Private Fostering in Wolverhampton leaflet.

To find out more go to http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/privatefostering