The facts about private care arrangements
To mark private fostering week (July 8-14), Merton council is trying to raise awareness with children in the borough through a new leaflet about the facts of the care arrangement.
Going out to all Merton schools, the leaflet explains what private fostering is and lets children know who to contact at the council if they are in a private fostering arrangement.
The council says private fostering is when a parent makes a private arrangement for their child or children to live with someone else who takes over the day-to-day care for 28 days or more, while the parent keeps overall responsibility of the child. The carer cannot be an immediate member of family.
Both parent and carers have a duty to tell the council at least six weeks before the start of an arrangement, or if the child is already living with a carer the council must be informed straight away. This is so the council can advise on help available whilst ensuring children are being properly looked after.
Cabinet member for children's services, Councillor Maxi Martin said: "This private fostering week we want to let parents, carers and school kids know that if they are in a living arrangement with a carer they should get in touch with Merton. We want to make sure our children receive the best care and give our carers access to the great assistance available to them."
For more information on private fostering visit: www.merton.gov.uk/privatefosteringregulations.
July 10, 2013