Private fostering is the term used when someone who is not a parent or a close relative (for example a great aunt, a cousin, a family friend or neighbour) is looking after a child or young person under the age of 16 (under 18 if they are disabled) for 28 days or more in their own home.
A close relative is defined in the Children Act 1989 as a step-parent, sibling, grandparent, or uncle or aunt (whether by full-blood, half-blood, or by marriage or civil partnership).
Private fostering also covers children who stay at a residential school for more than 2 weeks of the school holidays.
A young person, aged 16, said:
They [my foster carers] have helped me with everything. I enjoy the activities that we do like going to the beach. They help me with school and help me with my homework, help me make my lunch and organise me.
See more information about private fostering from the City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership.
Also see
Fostering Team
Children’s Social Care