Private fostering

Private fostering is an option sometimes used by parents who cannot provide full-time care for their children. There may be all kinds of reasons for this; some examples are:

• Children sent to this country for education or healthcare by parents living overseas
• Children living with a friend's family as a result of parental separation, divorce or arguments at home
• Teenagers living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend
• Children whose parents have to be admitted to hospital for long periods

If your child is living with someone who is not related to them, they are being privately fostered (unless the child has been placed by the local authority or voluntary organisation, or they will not be staying for more than 27 days).