Doncaster Council’s Children and Young People’s Service is alerting families to recognise and understand the role and responsibilities of Private Foster Care in Doncaster.

If a child or young person under the age of 16 (or 18 if disabled) is living with somebody other than a parent or close relative (grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle or step parent) for more than 28 days, this is called a Private Foster Care arrangement.

Like all other local authorities, the Council needs to know about these arrangements in order to make sure children and young people are safe and being properly looked after as well as being on hand to provide advice, guidance and support to Private Carers.

Doncaster Council’s Cabinet Member for the Children and Young People’s Service, Equalities and Cohesion, Councillor Andrea Milner, said: "There are many reasons why children are looked after by somebody else.

It might be as a result of a family crisis, such as a parent going into hospital or prison and a neighbour or friend is required to step in and help look after the children. It could also be that a young person has fallen out with their parents and moved in with a friend’s family."

Councillor Milner added: "Often these living arrangements are far better for the child or young person concerned and we would not wish to change it, but we do need to know about it. I ask, urge and encourage anyone who has a child being looked after by someone else, or those people looking after somebody else’s child, to please get in touch."

Residents can find out more or notify the Council of a Private Fostering Arrangement by calling 01302 737777 or log onto Private Fostering

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