If a child under the age of 16 – or under the age of 18 if disabled – is being cared for by an adult who is not their parent, step parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sister or brother for 28 days or more, this is classed as private fostering.
Privately fostered children are often looked after by a cousin, great aunt or friend of the family who has agreed to take care of the child by private agreement, without involving the council. In cases of private fostering, the parent is still legally responsible for their child.
In all cases of private fostering, Children’s Social Care must be notified. This is because Stockport Council has a legal duty to ensure that children who are looked after by someone else are kept safe and well.
For more information, you can download the following leaflets: