Private fostering

Are you staying with a friend or a different family? Is somebody else looking after you?

If you are aged up to 16 (up to 18 if you have a disability) and you are staying with someone other than your parents, aunt/uncles, grandparents or a sister/brothers for more than 4 weeks then we call this "private fostering". It does not matter whether you decided to stay there or your parents have arranged it for you, it is still "private fostering".

 Some examples of private fostering:

• A child or young person has had an argument with their parents and decided to stay at a friend's.
• A child or young person’s parents are separated and they are living outside of the family.
• A child or young person who came over to study in England.
• A child or young person who is staying with friends of their family.
• A child or young person is staying with members of the wider family.

If you are in one of these situations or know someone that is, you need to let us know by telephoning the Bridge Partnership on 0161 603 4500, Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm.  If you need to speak to someone outside these times, please contact the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0161 794 8888.

What happens next?

We are here to help, so a professional will contact you, explain what this all means and make sure that you are ok.

We want to make sure that you are safe so may ask you:

• How you are feeling and doing.
• Your relationship with your carers and parents.
• That all is in place for you to feel comfortable and protected.
• Whether you would like any advice or a listening ear.

For most children and young people, 'private fostering' works well but we need to make sure we know who is being ‘privately fostered’ and whether we can provide help.

We just need to make sure you are well and listen to you so please let us know.

If you have any other questions about private fostering, we also have a private fostering lead where you can contact at PrivateFostering@salford.gov.uk or 0161 603 4500.