Private Fostering

Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (18 if disabled) lives with someone who is not a close relative (for example a grandparent, aunt, uncle, sibling or step-parent) for 28 days or more. It's very different from the care of children formally provided by local councils through approved foster carers.

Privately fostered children and young people may:

• have parents living or working abroad
• be sent to the UK to study at state or language schools
• live with another family because they have problems at home.
• be estranged from their own family
• be at independent schools and not returning home during school holidays

Children who are on weekend or holiday visits do not count as being privately fostered.

It is the law that Kent County Council know about all children in Kent who are being privately fostered (or who are about to be).

More details about private fostering and how to inform Kent County Council of a private fostering arrangements can be found on the KCC website.