Research reveals substantial amount of private fostering goes on without local authorities knowing

More than one in ten children have been privately fostered at some stage without local authorities knowing, research for the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) has suggested.

Private fostering is an arrangement that lasts for 28 days or more when the child is cared for by someone who is not a close relative (i.e. not a grandparent, uncle, aunt, step-parent, older brother or sister). By law, parents and carers must notify local authorities of private fostering arrangements.

The survey revealed that nearly half (46%) of children with experience of being privately fostered said they felt worried, lonely or sad when in those arrangements. Some 42% said they did not think that anyone outside of the family was told they were being privately fostered.

The BAAF said that while most privately fostered young people will be well cared for, some may not and in extreme cases they may be subjected to abuse and exploitation.

Of the privately fostered children, 6% said they were not well looked after. A further 15% said their care was “ok”, while 80% suggested they had been well looked after.

The research suggests that private fostering most commonly occurs between the ages of 13 and 16, with London showing the highest incidence.

The reasons for private fostering included parents going on holiday (25% of cases), parents’ long-term health problems (17%), parents working away from home (10%), parents living somewhere else (10%), a row between the children and their parents (9%) and parents in prison (5%). Some 34% cited “other” as the reason.

BAAF chief executive David Holmes said: “The possible extent of private fostering as revealed by this survey is concerning, but it is encouraging that so many people seem to be telling someone about their arrangements. However with less than 2,000 notifications to local authorities last year, it could indicate that this information did not get through to the local authority.”

Holmes urged private foster carers and parents to tell their councils directly. He added: “There are still too many who are not telling anyone and some of these invisible children could be at risk.”