Becoming a private foster carer

If you want to become a private foster carer, you must tell us that you want to foster at least two weeks before the child comes to stay with you.

If you agree to foster a child in an emergency, you must tell us within one week of the child arriving.

You must let us know when the child is no longer in your care. You must give the reasons why the child has left you, and the name and address of the person who will now care for the child.

Some people are disqualified from becoming a private foster carer, including people who have:

• been convicted of an offence against children
• already had a foster child removed from their care
• had their parental responsibilities and rights taken away from them and passed to us
• had their registration as a daycare provider or childminder cancelled

For more information contact us via ACCESSLine on 03452 777 778.