Private Fostering is the term used when a parent or guardian places a child who is under school leaving age in the care of someone else, who is not a close relative or an officially approved foster carer, for a period of more than 28 days.
If you think you might be, or are soon to be, a private foster carer you have a legal responsibility to inform Falkirk Council of the arrangement.
Although the arrangement is private, the council has a legal obligation to ensure the welfare of every privately fostered child.
The Council has a responsibility to complete a number of checks to ensure the safety and welfare of the child.
These checks are carried out by the social work department, who are also able to offer support and advice to both the parents and carers of the privately fostered child.
The Scottish Government has issued guidance on local authority responsibilities:
Carer's Responsibilities
Are you looking after someone else's child? If so, you may be a private foster carer without even realising it.
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Are you looking after a friend's child while they work away from home?
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Have friends from abroad asked you to care for their child while they attend school here?
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Has a friend asked you to care for their child for a few weeks while they sort out personal problems?
Each of these scenarios falls into the category of private fostering, and the parents and carers have a legal responsibility to inform Falkirk Council of the arrangement.
If you are unsure whether or not your personal situation would be regarded as private fostering, you can contact your local social work department for advice.
If you are planning to care for a child who is under 16 and not a close relative, for longer than 28 days, this is what you should do:
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At least two weeks before commencing the placement you should write to the Director of Social Work explaining the arrangement.
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If a child is placed with you in an emergency, you should inform the local social work department of the placement within 7 days.
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If you change address whilst caring for the child, you must inform you local social work department when you are moving and where to.
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If a child dies, or is removed from your care, you must contact your local social work department within 48 hours.
If you are caring for a child who is not your own, then you do not possess the legal power to make certain decisions regarding the child, for example changing the name of the child, changing their school or consenting to medical treatment.
If you have any queries regarding your duties and responsibilities you should contact you local social work department.
The Scottish Government has issued guidance for private foster carers:
Parents and guardian's responsibilities
If you are a parent or guardian and you intend placing a child who is under 16 in someone else's care, who is not a close relative or an approved foster carer, for more than 28 days you should:
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Inform the Director of Social Work, at least two week before the placement begins, of your intentions to place the child in someone else's care.
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If the child has to be placed in the care of someone else in an emergency, then you must inform the local social work department within 7 days.
The social work department requires certain written information regarding the placement to ensure the safety and welfare of the child. This will include:
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Details of where the child will be placed
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Who will be responsible for the care of the child
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Anything else which is relevant to ensure the child's welfare.
Parents whose children are privately fostered still retain full responsibility for their child's welfare, and are still legally responsibly for making decisions which affect the child's life.
Parents are expected to remain in contact with their children, and ensure they are receiving adequate care.
Falkirk Council has a duty to:
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Check private foster care arrangements are satisfactory
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Monitor private foster care arrangements to ensure the needs of the child are being met.
The aim of these duties is to ensure that Falkirk Council can ensure that all children are safe, happy and secure no matter what their circumstances.
If you wish you make any enquiries about private fostering please contact your local social work department|.