Private fostering is when a child or young person under 16 years old (or 18 if they have a disability) is looked after for a period of 28 days or more by someone who is not a close relative, guardian or person with parental responsibility.

Close relatives include parents, step-parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

People become private foster carers for all sorts of reasons. They can be a friend of the child’s family or someone who is willing to care for the child of a family they do not know.

Common situations are:

• children and young people living apart from their families
• children with parents overseas
• children living with host families for a variety of reasons
• children on holiday exchanges which last more than 27 days

If you think you might be involved in a private fostering arrangement in Devon, please contact 0345 155 1071 or email privatefostering@devon.gov.uk to discuss it.

If you think you might be involved in a private fostering arrangement in Torbay, please visit the Torbay Council website or you can call 01803 208100.