Do you know how to identify a private fostering arrangement and who to tell?

Private fostering is a situation where someone is looking after another person’s child for 28 days or more and the child is under the age of 16 (or under 18 if they have a disability) and is not a close relative. People in Devon involved in private fostering arrangements must, by law, inform Devon County Council.

If you work with children and young people and become aware of a private fostering arrangement, or are part of a private fostering situation yourself, it’s important that you let the Private Fostering Team at Devon County Council know. They can then work with the young person, their parents or carer, and the private foster carer to ensure the best arrangement possible is in place.

If you aren’t sure, or want further details, you can find out more about private fostering on our website or contact the team:

• devon.cc/privatefostering
• privatefostering@devon.gov.uk
• 0345 155 1071