Management Information Sheet
Private fostering awareness and reporting
Please ensure all school staff are aware that if they know of a child or young person under the age of 16, or 18 if they are disabled, who is being looked after by someone other than their parents or a close relative for 28 days or more, they should report it to us at CADS, Norfolk County Council.
Where children or young people are currently being looked after by someone else, it's called private fostering and there is a legal requirement that the council must be informed so we can offer support and advice and ensure the child's needs are being safely met.
A private foster carer could be a family friend, a neighbour, or an extended family member like a cousin, great grandparent or great aunt/uncle.
School staff can report private fostering to the Children's Advice and Duty Service (CADS) on 0344 800 8020 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday. More information is available by visiting www.norfolk.gov.uk/privatefostering
We are also asking if you could share this message with your parents to raise awareness of private fostering and encourage them to let us know if they are looking after someone else's child or if somebody else is looking after their child. You should be able to copy and paste this text and graphic to use on the digital platforms you use to communicate with parents and carers.
Many thanks!