What support do private foster carers receive after approval?

Support for a private foster carer after approval or notification usually comes from the local authority responsible for safeguarding the child, together with any fostering service involved in the arrangement. The level and type of help should reflect the child’s needs, the carer’s experience and the circumstances that led to the placement.

First, clarify what “private fostering” means. A private fostering arrangement is generally one where a child is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative, without the arrangement being made by the local authority. It normally applies when the care lasts, or is expected to last, for 28 days or more. The child’s parent, the proposed carer and other relevant adults must notify the local authority. The local authority then assesses the arrangement and visits the child and carer.

Private foster carers are not approved in exactly the same way as foster carers recruited by an independent fostering agency or local authority. If you are using “approval” to describe an agency fostering assessment, the support available will follow that agency’s policies. If the arrangement is private fostering, the local authority remains central to the oversight and safeguarding process.

Local authority oversight

The local authority should check that the arrangement is suitable and that the child’s welfare is protected. This can include:

• assessing the carer’s circumstances, household and ability to meet the child’s needs;
• speaking with the child and their parents or those with parental responsibility;
• visiting the home and checking sleeping arrangements and household safety;
• considering relevant background checks and information from other professionals; and
• agreeing how the child’s education, health, contact with family and day-to-day care will be managed.

Visits are also an opportunity to raise concerns, explain changes in the child’s behaviour or circumstances and ask whether further services are needed. A carer should not wait for a scheduled visit if there is an immediate safeguarding concern.

Practical guidance for day-to-day care

Private foster carers may need help understanding the child’s routines, boundaries, cultural or religious needs, communication style and existing relationships. Support can include advice about settling the child into the household, maintaining appropriate contact with parents, working with the child’s school and arranging health appointments.

The carer should know who to contact about different issues. The local authority may be the main contact for safeguarding and statutory visits, while the child’s social worker, education staff, health professionals or the parent may deal with particular aspects of the care plan. Keeping these responsibilities clear helps prevent important information being missed.

Training and specialist advice

Training needs vary according to the child’s age and circumstances. A carer may be advised to seek guidance on safeguarding, first aid, managing behaviour, trauma, communication, disability, emotional wellbeing or online safety. Where the child has specific medical, developmental or educational needs, professionals should explain the relevant care tasks and any warning signs that require further help.

Training does not transfer responsibility for specialist decisions to the carer. Medical treatment, medication, school arrangements and consent should be managed with the child’s parent, the local authority and relevant professionals. Ask for written instructions where a task is unfamiliar or affects the child’s health or safety.

Reviews and changes to the arrangement

Support should be revisited if the child’s needs change, the placement becomes more demanding, the carer’s household changes or the expected duration of the arrangement is extended. Tell the responsible professional about significant changes, including a change of address, new household members, serious illness, incidents in the home or difficulty maintaining contact arrangements.

It is sensible to keep records of important appointments, accidents, medication, contact with parents, professional advice and significant incidents. Accurate records help everyone understand what has happened and support informed decisions at reviews.

Financial and respite questions

Any private agreement about allowances, expenses or responsibility for costs should be recorded clearly before or at the start of the arrangement. The local authority’s safeguarding role does not necessarily mean it will fund every cost. Ask specifically who is responsible for clothing, travel, activities, school requirements, health-related items and emergency expenses.

Private foster carers should also ask what to do if they cannot continue caring for the child temporarily or permanently. A replacement arrangement should not be made informally without involving the child’s parent and the relevant local authority, because an apparently short-term change can still affect safeguarding and legal responsibilities.

Good post-approval support is therefore more than a single assessment. It is a clear system for oversight, advice, information sharing and escalation, with the child’s welfare guiding decisions throughout the arrangement.