There will be many young people in Knowsley who are living with someone who isn’t their parent or a close relative.
A teenager might be living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend, or a child / children could be living with a family friend during a crisis or where a parent has been taken in to hospital.
All these situations could be examples of private fostering. The council needs to know about circumstances like this to ensure the arrangements are suitable and offer a good standard of care.
To help promote awareness of private fostering Knowsley Council is currently undertaking a marketing campaign across the borough. The campaign urges residents to let us know about any child who isn’t living with their parents so we can check out the situation.
“Private fostering situations can be quite common and often arranged on a very informal basis. Yet most people don’t realise that the local authority needs to know if a child or young person isn’t living with their parents.
“It’s really important that we’re made aware of these situations so we can check the children or young people are being well cared for and their needs met during this time.
“It’s really easy to get in touch with a quick phone call or email.
“Any parents making arrangements for someone to care for their child, who isn’t a close relative, should let us know at least six weeks before. If the arrangement is made in an emergency then we should be told within 48 hours.
“Many parents may not realise they are legally required to let the council know about any such arrangements.
“Knowing about these circumstances means that we are able to provide the extra support and advice for these young people and their carers during what can be an unsettling time.”
More information on Private Fostering can be found on the Knowsley Council website: www.knowsley.gov.uk.
To let us know about a private fostering arrangement contact the Knowsley Access Team in Children’s Services on 443 2600 or email knowsley.accessteam@knowsley.gov.uk.
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