Somerset Council is raising awareness of private fostering and the support available to children, families and carers ahead of Private Fostering Awareness Day on 4 November.
Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16, or under 18 if they have a disability, is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative for 28 consecutive days or more. Close relatives include grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and step-parents when married to a parent.
Parents and private foster carers have a legal responsibility to notify Somerset Council about these arrangements.
Private fostering arrangements can happen for a variety of reasons, and people may not always realise that the arrangement they have in place is considered private fostering.
It is important that Somerset Council is made aware so that we can make sure the child is safe and well cared for, and provide advice, guidance and support to those involved.
One Somerset private foster carer, Kirsty, has shared her experience to reassure others who may find themselves in a similar position. Kirsty said:
It has been the most rewarding thing in my life. I wasn’t expecting the amount of support we’ve had, and we’ve always had our social worker there when we need her.
Kirsty is encouraging anyone who thinks they may be involved in a private fostering arrangement to seek advice and find out more, adding:
Look it up, research it and speak to people about it. The support is there.
Councillor Heather Shearer, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Children, Families and Education, said:
Private Fostering Awareness Day is an important opportunity to help more people understand what private fostering is and when Somerset Council needs to be notified.
People may not realise that an arrangement they have in place is considered private fostering. By letting us know, families and carers can access advice, guidance and ongoing support, helping to ensure children receive the best possible care.
If you think you may be privately fostering a child or know of an arrangement that could be private fostering, I encourage you to contact Somerset Council and find out more.
If you think you may be involved in a private fostering arrangement or would like to find out more about the support available, visit the Fostering in Somerset website, www.fosteringinsomerset.gov.uk.
