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Private foster care

If you're the child's parent

Last updated
9 Dec 2024

Before your child is privately fostered

The private foster carer's local council will check that they are able to look after your child.

The checks are different for each council. They will explain these checks to you before they make them. They will normally check:

  • with the police
  • with their referees (character witnesses)
  • the home the child will be living
  • their existing family – such as the number of other children already living with them

Tell the foster carer's local council about a private foster care arrangement

You must tell the private foster carer's local council if you want your child to live with them for more than 28 days.

You should tell the council at least 14 days before your child moves. This is to give them time to check your child will be well looked after.

Aberdeen City Council Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Argyll and Bute Council Clackmannanshire Council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Dumfries and Galloway Council Dundee City Council East Ayrshire Council East Dunbartonshire Council East Lothian Council East Renfrewshire Council Edinburgh Council Falkirk Council Fife Council Glasgow City Council Highland Council Inverclyde Council Midlothian Council Moray Council North Ayrshire Council North Lanarkshire Council Orkney Islands Council Perth and Kinross Council Renfrewshire Council Scottish Borders Council Shetland Islands Council South Ayrshire Council South Lanarkshire Council Stirling Council West Dunbartonshire Council West Lothian Council

If your child is living with a close relative, you do not need to tell your local council.

Who is a close relative or family friend

A close relative of the parent or child includes:

  • grandparent
  • brother or sister
  • aunt or uncle
  • father-in-law or mother-in-law
  • son-in-law or daughter-in-law
  • brother-in-law or sister-in-law
  • partner of any of the people listed

A close family friend includes: 

  • a close friend of the parent
  • a neighbour
  • a godparent

When your child is privately fostered

You will still have all parental responsibilities and rights while your child is in private foster care. You should agree with the private foster carer about what decisions they will be able to make about the child.

The private foster carer's local council will visit regularly to check your child is being cared for. They'll also keep in touch with you to offer help and advice.

Your local council may remove your child from a private foster carer if they have concerns about your child's safety.

You can end the private foster care arrangement at any time.

Financial arrangements

You should make financial arrangements with the private foster carer for looking after your child. They will not get any financial help from their local council.

The private foster carer may be able to claim Child Benefit. This is paid to anyone raising:

  • a child under 16 years of age
  • a young person under 20 years of age who is in approved education or training

Only one person can get Child Benefit for each child. If you want the private foster carer to claim Child Benefit, you'll need to stop claiming for the same child.

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