Raising awareness of private fostering: what education staff need to know

Education professionals play a vital role in safeguarding children and young people, but one area that can go unnoticed is private fostering. Despite its significance, many staff in schools and colleges remain unaware of what private fostering is, how to identify it, and what their duties are when they suspect it.

What is private fostering?

Private fostering occurs when a child under the age of 16 (or under 18 if they have a disability or are in a Homes for Ukraine Scheme) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative, for 28 days or more. A close relative is defined as a grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle or step-parent by marriage or civil partnership (Children Act 1989 S105). Arrangements are made
directly between parents and carers.

Common examples include:

• Children sent to live with friends or distant relatives due to parental illness or overseas work.
• Teenagers living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Children attending language schools or educational placements and staying with host families.

Why it matters

Private fostering can be positive for children, but because children are living away from parents the local authority need to ensure that they are safe and the care they are being provided with is of a good quality and meets the child’s needs. The child may be vulnerable, isolated or at risk of exploitation. Because these arrangements are often informal, the local authority may not be aware
of them, meaning the child is not receiving the support and oversight they may need.

By law, parents and private foster carers must notify the local authority of the arrangement, but this does not always happen. That’s where education staff come in.

The role of education staff

Teachers, pastoral leads and other school staff are often the first to notice when a child’s living arrangements change. You might hear a pupil mention they’re staying with a friend’s family or notice inconsistencies in emergency contact details. These could be signs of a private fostering arrangement.

If you suspect a child is being privately fostered, it is your duty to inform your designated safeguarding lead (DSL), who should then notify the local authority. Early identification ensures that the child’s welfare is assessed and that appropriate support is provided to both the child and the carer.

How you can help

• Be observant - see what children are doing and listen to what children say about their home life.
• Be curious - if a child’s living situation seems unclear, gently explore further and ask questions
• Report concerns - always share suspicions with your DSL.
• Raise awareness - encourage colleagues to learn about private fostering, using the private fostering awareness poster and focus on private fostering leaflet and consider attending further training. Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership (KSCMP) offer virtual training on a bi-annual basis. The next training is taking place on Wednesday 5 November 2025 from 10am to 11:30am. Sign up using KSCMP-Me Learning.

Final thoughts

Private fostering is often hidden, but with greater awareness and vigilance, education staff can help ensure that children in these arrangements are safe, supported, and known to services. If you're unsure whether a situation qualifies as private fostering, it's always best to seek advice from your safeguarding lead or Kent Front Door by emailing frontdoor@kent.gov.uk or calling 03000 41 11 11 or 03000 41 91 91 (Out of Hours).