A private fostering arrangement is when someone under the age of 16 (or under 18 if the child is disabled) is cared for someone who is not their parent or ‘close relative’ for 28 days or more. The arrangement is made by the parent and the carer.

Social care must be informed of such arrangements so that a social worker can visit and check that the child is well looked after.

Social workers may advise the family about accessing benefits, or with parenting or family relationships support if needed.

‘Mainstream’ fostering

Sometimes people are confused about the different between ‘private fostering’ and ‘mainstream fostering’ (which is usually just referred to as ‘fostering’).

Foster carers are recruited, trained, assessed and supervised by a fostering provider (such as Sparks Fostering). Foster carers are matched with children who need foster homes; the carers and children do not usually have any prior relationship or knowledge of each other. Foster care is largely a caring role, but it’s also a professional role; foster carers are given regular training, supervising, and a fee for their role. See page ‘Fostering Allowance’ to read about the financial support offered by Sparks Fostering.

Sparks Fostering is a ‘private’ fostering provider, which means that the agency is owned privately (by the registered manager, Tay Jiva). Sparks Fostering only supports mainstream fostering, we don’t support private fostering arrangements.