Management Information Sheet

Keeping Children Safe in Education (2020) states that private fostering occurs when a child under the age of 16 (under 18, if disabled) is provided with care and accommodation by a person who is not a parent, person with parental responsibility for them or a relative in their own home. A child is not privately fostered if the person caring for and accommodating them has done so for less than 28 days and does not intend to do so for longer. Such arrangements may come to the attention of school staff through the normal course of their interaction, and promotion of learning activities, with children.

It is important to note that a private fostering arrangement is not when a child is Looked After by the Local Authority or placed in any residential home, hospital or school.

If you believe that a private fostering arrangement has not been reported to Children's Services, you should contact them directly: Customer Services Centre: 0344 800 8020.

It is crucial that DSLs and school staff understand this information and follow the procedures detailed in the Private Fostering Guidance for Schools and other Education Settings

Other helpful resources

There is further guidance available below:

• privatefostering.org.uk
• www.ecpat.org.uk
• NSCP resources
• Norfolk Fostering Service
• Private fostering page from Norfolk Schools site

Training

There is a LA whole-school staff training module for Private Fostering which can be delivered to all staff to aid understanding.