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