Private fostering
Private fostering is when a child or young person aged under 16
(or under 18 if they are disabled), is cared for and provided with
accommodation for 28 days or more by an adult who is not a close
relative. A close relative is an aunt, uncle, step-parent,
grandparent or sibling, but not a cousin, grand aunt/uncle or a
family friend.
From July 1st 2005, the Government introduced a
legislation and guidance on private fostering. Parents have a
responsibility to ensure that their child is in a suitable and safe
private fostering arrangement. Parents and carers have a legal duty
to tell the London Borough of Tower Hamlets at least 6 weeks before
the arrangement is due to start.
If the arrangement is due to start within 6 weeks or is already in
place, then you must tell the Private Fostering Social Work Team at
the London Borough of Tower Hamlets immediately.
The Law states that you must tell us of a private fostering
arrangement within the timescales outlined above. This information
will help us to ensure that the child is well looked after and does
not come to any harm. Failure to inform the council may result in
legal proceedings taking place.
There are many private fostering situations.
These can include:
- 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 whose parents are from overseas and
who work or study long and/or antisocial hours
- children or young people who are living with a friend's family
as a result of parental separation, divorce or arguments at
home
- children or young people living with their partner's
family
Tower Hamlets have a legal duty to ensure that
any child or young person is in a suitable and safe private
fostering arrangement. We will make regular visits to your child
and his/her private foster carer. The team also provides help and
advice where necessary.
It is an offence not to notify Tower Hamlets
of a private fostering arrangement.
If you are aware of a child or young person
who may be in a private fostering arrangement or who may be
potentially be placed in a private fostering arrangement, you
should contact the private fostering team immediately.
Further information on these services can be read in
our Private
Fostering Statement of Purpose (pdf 378kb).
To find out more about private fostering in Tower Hamlets please
click
here
Further information
How to contact us:
Private Fostering Team
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 2BG
Tel: 020 7364 0944 or 020 7364 4945