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Find out what private fostering is and tell us about private fostering arrangements.

Private fostering is when a child under 16, or under 18 if they’re disabled, lives for more than 28 days with someone who isn’t a close relative. Close relatives include:

  • grandparents
  • brothers
  • sisters
  • uncles
  • aunts
  • step-parents
  • people with parental responsibility for the child

Children aren’t in private foster care if:

  • they’re only cared for during the day
  • they’re in the care of a local council