Tell the council about private fostering

Enfield Safeguarding Children Board has just published a new leaflet explaining about private foster care arrangements that families agree and the legal requirements for such arrangements.

Foster care is usually arranged through local councils for children temporarily in their care, but the authorities do not often know about private arrangements between family or friends or children visiting from abroad.

Anyone intending to look after someone else’s child for more than 28 days must inform the council. It is an offence not to do so.

Cllr Glynis Vince, cabinet member for education, children’s services and youth, said, “The Safeguarding Children Board wants to ensure that children in Enfield are safe. Their leaflet, ‘Are you looking after someone else’s child?’ makes it absolutely clear about informal private fostering arrangements.

“By law, all private fostering has to be registered with the council. The council can offer guidance and practical support to anyone who is taking on some private fostering. The leaflet is available from the council’s children’s services, libraries, doctors’ surgeries and council offices.”

The safeguarding of all children, including those who are privately fostered, is everyone’s responsibility and there is a legal requirement for local councils to know about it so that they can make sure that children are not at risk.

Cllr Vince adds, “If members of the public know of such private arrangements we want them to let the council know. It is not our intention to disrupt the arrangements already made we just need to know that children are safe and properly cared for.”

For copies of the leaflet or to register private fostering or report it call: 020 8379 2507 or email: childreninneedservice@enfield.gov.uk

This document was last updated on 2008-10-02 15:07:02 published by the Communications team. Document Reference:LBE_133379