Private fostering

Private fostering occurs when a child up to 16 years of age is living and looked after by someone outside of their close family for 28 days (four weeks) or more. It means looking after somebody else's child.

If a child is looked after by any of the people below, this is not private fostering:

• biological parents or step parents
• biological aunts and uncles
• Half or full siblings
• Biological or step grandparents

If any of the below people below are looking after somebody else's child, this is a private fostering arrangement and you need to notify Salford City Council:

• neighbour
• friend
• child's friend's parents
• non-biological "aunt" or "uncle"
• great aunt or uncle
• cousin
• someone looking after a student studying away from home

In all cases of private fostering, the council needs to be notified.

For more information, or to notify the council of a private fostering arrangement, please contact the private fostering officer on 0161 779 7860 or email privatefosteringofficer@salford.gov.uk.

This page was last updated on 18 November 2010