Powys council says extended care for another person’s child may count as private fostering

Powys County Council is asking residents to contact its children’s services team if they are caring for someone else’s child for an extended period, as the arrangement may meet the definition of private fostering.

The council says private fostering applies when a child under 16, or a disabled young person under 18, is looked after for 28 days or more by someone who is not their parent, stepparent, guardian or a close relative. For this purpose, close relatives include grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts.

People providing care may not consider themselves foster carers, the council said. Examples can include a teenager staying with a friend’s family because of problems at home, or a child living with a family friend while a parent is unwell or unable to provide care.

Other possible arrangements include a young person staying with a boyfriend or girlfriend’s family for at least 28 days, a child living with someone while a parent works or lives away, and a child from overseas staying with another household for education or other reasons. Care by wider family members who do not count as close relatives under the definition may also qualify.

These arrangements are often made directly between a child’s parents and the person who will look after them. Powys County Council said they can be a positive way to support a family facing difficult circumstances, but it needs to be informed if an arrangement lasts, or is expected to last, for 28 days or more.

Councillor Sandra Davies, the council’s cabinet member for future generations, said people might simply be helping a friend or family they know and not realise the arrangement could be private fostering. She said the council wanted to raise awareness and encouraged anyone caring for another person’s child, or aware of a possible arrangement, to get in touch.

The authority said it can offer advice and support to those involved. It also has a responsibility to ensure children in private fostering arrangements are safe and that their welfare is safeguarded and promoted.

Residents can contact Children’s Services’ Front Door by emailing csfrontdoor@powys.gov.uk or calling 01597 827 666 during office hours. The council gives 0845 054 4847 as its out-of-hours number. Further information is available on its private fostering webpage.

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